Typhus - Characteristics Of Typhus, Epidemic Typhus, Endemic Typhus, Scrub Typhus, Prevention Of Typhus
bacteria transmitted disease rat
Typhus is a disease caused by a group of bacteria called Rickettsia. Three forms of typhus are recognized: epidemic typhus, a serious disease that is fatal if not treated promptly; rat-flea or endemic typhus, a milder form of the disease; and scrub typhus, another fatal form. The Rickettsia species of bacteria that cause all three forms of typhus are transmitted by insects. The bacteria that cause epidemic typhus, for instance, are transmitted by the human body louse; the bacteria that cause endemic typhus are transmitted by the Oriental rat flea; and bacteria causing scrub typhus are transmitted by chiggers.
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Epidemic typhus is a disease that has played an important role in history. Because typhus is transmitted by the human body louse, epidemics of this disease break out when humans are in close contact with each other under conditions in which the same clothing is worn for long periods of time. Cold climates also favor typhus epidemics, as people will be more likely to wear heavy clothing in colder c…
Scrub typhus is caused by R. tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted by chiggers. The term "scrub typhus" comes from the observation that the disease is found in habitats with scrub vegetation, but the name is somewhat of a misnomer. Scrub typhus is found in beach areas, savannas, tropical rainsforests, and deserts—in short, anywhere chiggers live. Scientists studying scrub typhus…
Prevention of typhus outbreaks takes a two-pronged approach. Eliminating the carriers and reservoirs of Rickettsia is an important step in prevention. Spraying with insecticides, rodent control measures, and treating soil with insect-repellent chemicals have all been used successfully to prevent typhus outbreaks. In scrub typhus islands, cutting down vegetation has been shown to lessen the inciden…
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User Comments
about 3 years ago
Hello!
I need to know what the death rate of Endemic Typhus (Rickettsia Prowazekii). Thank you!