MITE-TYPHUS AND THE NEW MITE-TYPHUS VACCINE

Abstract

MUCH interest has been aroused by the recent release of information about the new vaccine for the protection of man against mite-typhus (scrub-typhus). Mite-typhus has been-and still is-one of the major health risks in the Far East. The name scrub-typhus, which is commonly given to this disease, is somewhat misleading. It was adopted because the disease is prevalent in areas covered with scrub vegetation, which provides a favourable habitat for the larval mite carrying the disease ; but experience during the War showed that the disease is just as prevalent, if not more so, in damp areas covered with the very tall tropical kunai grass (see J. B. Logue, U.S. Naval Med. Bull., 43, 645 ; 1944), which may grow to a height of 10-20 ft., and also in areas where coco-nut palms and other vegetation occur. Damp and swampy country favours the disease. It is found in Japanese river valleys near the sea and for this reason has been called 'Japanese river fever'.