Those planning camping trips this winter will probably die horribly or at least become very ill due to tiny, vicious chiggers.
The Health Ministry today issued a warning over the to people who have planned their camping trip this winter that they may be sickened or killed by the tiny chiggers.
Chiggers aka harvest mites, berry bugs, or just ‘trombiculidae’, once they bite, they can cause scrub typhus disease with symtoms such as fever, headache, red eyes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and in some cases, death, according to Sophon Meknon, general-director of disease control department.
The patients, however, will be able to notice the cigarette-burn-like bites on their bodies as a sign they might want to seek help. The bites can also cause infection.
Scrub typhus is commonly spread in the rainy season and winter in the rural and motainous areas as chiggers lay their eggs on the dirt.
This year around 8,000 people have been infected with scrub typhus with 5 deaths.
Campers are advised to avoid touching the grass and dirt directly and always cover their limbs with long-sleeved shirt, trousers and socks, INN News reported.
Photo: Pest Guard
