Scrub typhus in India: emerging insights, and future challenges and opportunities

We reviewed qualitative and quantitative data from the published medical literature, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the rickettsial infection database at Christian Medical College, Vellore (CMC) to understand the burden of disease across the country. We also conducted a cross-sectional, population-based survey in Vellore district to estimate the seroprevalence of scrub typhus in the community using immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies. We assessed the risk factors for acquiring the disease in the community in a case–control study. We also analysed the severity of disease and current management options among patients admitted to CMC. The study was approved by the Ethics Review Board of CMC.