A 48-year-old inspector of nature trails in Coloane and Taipa has been listed as this year’s fifth suspected case of Tsutsugamushi Disease (aka scrub typhus) in Macau, a statement by the Health Bureau (SSM) said on Friday.
According to the statement, the local male victim sought treatment in a medical institution on June 3 after coming down with a fever, but then went to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre’s emergency department on June 9 due to persistent fever, where a peanut-sized eschar was found under his right armpit.
The statement noted that the patient, who has been admitted to the public hospital, is in a stable condition.
The statement quoted the man, who had not left Macau during the incubation period of the disease, as saying that he had worked in grasslands, pointing out that neither his family members nor colleagues have developed similar symptoms.
In the statement, the bureau called on the public to take the following precautions when going to nature trails and approaching grasslands: in terms of personal protection, members of the public should use footpaths and avoid crossing bushes or wooded areas as much as possible, wear long sleeves and use bug repellent; in order to avoid chigger mite infestation and bites, those who have engaged in outdoor activities should have a shower and change all clothing as soon as possible when arriving at home after having been to susceptible area; those who develop a fever should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
The statement underlined that government entities and personnel responsible for the management of both public parks and nature trails should always ensure that the areas’ weeds have been removed regularly, so as to reduce the habitat and density of chiggers. Rodent control should also be carried out on a regular basis, the statement stressed.
This undated file photo shows an eschar formed after being bitten by a chigger. – Photo courtesy of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
