VietNamNet Bridge – The Health Ministry has issued a warning to residents of mountainous areas about the spread of the Tsutsugamushi disease, which has already infected 78 people in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai.

The disease is caused by Trombicula bugs, which typically favour shrubs and low-hung trees and adhere to small animals including mice, rabbits, dogs and chicken. — Photo giadinhonline

The disease is caused by Trombicula bugs, which typically favour shrubs and low-hung trees and adhere to small animals including mice, rabbits, dogs and chicken.

Those who live and work in wet conditions in forests, grassy areas, shrubs and streams are particularly susceptible to getting stung by the bugs and getting infected.

The ministry said the disease may occur during wet season from April to October, and burst out between June and July.

It said 80.5 per cent of the cases are people working in mountainous and rural areas, including farmers and soldiers.

The health ministry says that the delitescence remains silent and hidden for eight to twelve days.

Patients can suffer constantly high fever for as many as 27 days with headache and muscle pain if they do not receive any treatment.

A particular symptom of the disease is an ulcerated spot caused when the bug stings, which usually lies in soft and moist body parts such as the neck, groin, ears and eyes.

The Health Ministry has recommended that local residents and soldiers avoid working and living near grassy areas and trees.

They should wear tight-fitting clothes including boots, socks, tie the trouser legs and use bug-resistant cream when traveling, walking through forests and working in grassy areas.

They can also spray insecticides like diazinon and fenthion on the soil and clear shrubs around their houses in order to kill the bugs, the Ministry has advised.

VNS/VNN