Scrub typhus is one of the most neglected tropical diseases, a leading cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness in areas of the ‘tsutsugamushi triangle’, diagnosed frequently in South Asian countries. The bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi is the causative agent of the disease, which enters the human body through the bite of trombiculid mites (also known as chiggers) of the genus Leptotrombidium deliense. Diagnosis of the disease is challenging, as its early symptoms mimic other febrile illnesses like dengue, influenza and corona viruses. Lack of rapid, reliable and cost-effective diagnostic methods further complicates the identification process. Northeast India, a mountainous region with a predominantly rural tribal population, has witnessed a resurgence of scrub typhus cases in recent years. Various ecological factors, including rodent populations, habitat characteristics and climatic conditions, influence its prevalence. Entomological investigations have confirmed the abundance of vector mites, highlighting the importance of understanding their distribution and the probability of transmission of scrub typhus in the region. Proper diagnosis, awareness campaigns and behavioural interventions are essential for controlling scrub typhus outbreaks and reducing its impact on public health in Northeast India. Further research and community-based studies are necessary to accurately assess the disease burden and implement effective prevention strategies.

中文翻译：

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印度东北部的恙虫病：流行病学、临床表现和诊断方法

恙虫病是最被忽视的热带疾病之一，是“恙虫三角”地区急性未分化发热性疾病的主要原因，在南亚国家经常被诊断出来。恙虫病东方体细菌是这种疾病的病原体，它通过细螨属的螨虫（也称为恙螨）叮咬进入人体。这种疾病的诊断具有挑战性，因为它的早期症状类似于登革热、流感和冠状病毒等其他发热性疾病。缺乏快速、可靠和具有成本效益的诊断方法使识别过程进一步复杂化。印度东北部是一个以农村部落人口为主的山区，近年来丛林斑疹伤寒病例再次出现。各种生态因素，包括啮齿动物种群、栖息地特征和气候条件，都会影响其流行。昆虫学调查证实了媒介螨的丰富性，凸显了了解其分布和丛林斑疹伤寒在该地区传播可能性的重要性。适当的诊断、宣传活动和行为干预对于控制恙虫病疫情和减少其对印度东北部公共卫生的影响至关重要。有必要进行进一步的研究和基于社区的研究，以准确评估疾病负担并实施有效的预防策略。