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Mapping Scrub Typhus Across Multiple Hosts in India
Akash Balasaheb Mote1, Himani Dhanze2, M Suman Kumar1
1Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
Ecohealth
|July 24, 2026
Summary
This study reveals a significant burden of scrub typhus in India across humans, animals, and vectors. Findings emphasize the need for integrated disease control strategies, including vector and rodent management.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Scrub typhus poses a significant public health challenge in India, with limited country-specific prevalence data across various hosts and vectors.
- Existing research often focuses on specific aspects, necessitating a comprehensive overview for effective disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the prevalence of scrub typhus in humans, animal hosts, and vectors in India.
- To provide data crucial for informing and improving national scrub typhus control programs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Krishikosh, Shodhganga) conducted in March 2024.
- Data extraction and classification by diagnostic methods and host/vector distribution for narrative synthesis.
- Random- or common-effects meta-analysis to estimate pooled prevalence, with heterogeneity assessed using the I² index.
Main Results:
- Pooled prevalence of scrub typhus was 20% in hospitalized Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases, 19% in hospitalized Acute Febrile Illness (AFI) cases, and 13% in community individuals.
- Prevalence in animal hosts (rodents/shrews) was 6%, and in ectoparasite vectors was 5%.
- Meta-regression identified geographical region, publication year, and sampling strategy as key moderators in community cases, while season moderated AFI cases.
Conclusions:
- Scrub typhus presents a high disease burden across diverse hosts and vectors in India, necessitating its consideration in differential diagnoses for febrile illnesses.
- A One Health approach, integrating vector control and rodent management, is essential for effective scrub typhus control and prevention.
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