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Published on: February 25, 2013
A Spatiotemporal Database to Track Human Scrub Typhus Using the VectorMap Application
Daryl J Kelly1,2, Desmond H Foley3, Allen L Richards1,4
1Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America.
Abstract:
Scrub typhus is a potentially fatal mite-borne febrile illness, primarily of the Asia-Pacific Rim. With an endemic area greater than 13 million km2 and millions of people at risk, scrub typhus remains an underreported, often misdiagnosed febrile illness. A comprehensive, updatable map of the true distribution of cases has been lacking, and therefore the true risk of disease within the very large endemic area remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to establish a database and map to track human scrub typhus. An online search using PubMed and the United States Armed Forces Pest Management Board Literature Retrieval System was performed to identify articles describing human scrub typhus cases both within and outside the traditionally accepted endemic regions. Using World Health Organization guidelines, stringent criteria were used to establish diagnoses for inclusion in the database. The preliminary screening of 181 scrub typhus publications yielded 145 publications that met the case criterion, 267 case records, and 13 serosurvey records that could be georeferenced, describing 13,739 probable or confirmed human cases in 28 countries. A map service has been established within VectorMap (www.vectormap.org) to explore the role that relative location of vectors, hosts, and the pathogen play in the transmission of mite-borne scrub typhus. The online display of scrub typhus cases in VectorMap illustrates their presence and provides an up-to-date geographic distribution of proven scrub typhus cases.
Insights
Scrub typhus, a dangerous mite-borne illness, is mapped globally for the first time. This study provides a crucial, up-to-date geographic distribution of human cases, improving understanding of this underreported disease.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Medical Geography
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Scrub typhus is a severe, febrile illness transmitted by mites, predominantly in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Millions are at risk, yet the disease is often underreported and misdiagnosed, with its true distribution poorly understood.
- A lack of comprehensive mapping hinders accurate risk assessment within its vast endemic area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a comprehensive, updatable database and map for tracking human scrub typhus cases.
- To delineate the true geographic distribution of scrub typhus globally.
- To facilitate a better understanding of disease risk and transmission patterns.
Main Methods:
- Conducted an extensive online literature search using PubMed and the US Armed Forces Pest Management Board Literature Retrieval System.
- Applied stringent World Health Organization guidelines for case diagnosis and inclusion criteria.
- Georeferenced case records and serosurveys from identified publications to establish a spatial database.
Main Results:
- Identified 145 publications meeting case criteria, encompassing 267 case records and 13 georeferenced serosurveys.
- Documented 13,739 probable or confirmed human scrub typhus cases across 28 countries.
- Established an online map service (VectorMap) visualizing the geographic distribution of scrub typhus cases.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully established a database and map detailing the global distribution of human scrub typhus cases.
- This resource provides an up-to-date visualization of disease presence, aiding in risk assessment and public health planning.
- The VectorMap service allows for further exploration of factors influencing mite-borne disease transmission.
