Kerala Researchers Identify Rare Scrub Typhus Case in Dubai

On October 30, 2025, Kerala-based medical researchers reported a rare case of scrub typhus in a resident of Thiruvananthapuram who had recently returned from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is significant as Dubai is not an endemic region for the disease.

The researchers, publishing their findings in the journal Mass Gathering Medicine, emphasized the need for increased epidemiological studies to understand how scrub typhus is affecting different populations in the region. They also called for ongoing surveillance in the area to monitor the situation.

Scrub typhus, caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi and transmitted through infected chigger bites, has emerged as the leading infectious cause of acute encephalitis syndrome in southern India. In 2024, Kerala reported 981 cases and 19 deaths, with the majority concentrated in Thiruvananthapuram.

The researchers stressed that clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for scrub typhus, even in the absence of the characteristic skin lesion known as an eschar. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment with doxycycline can lead to marked clinical improvement, as seen in the case of the 52-year-old male patient.

The identification of this rare case in Dubai underscores the potential for scrub typhus to spread beyond its traditional endemic regions. Ongoing surveillance and comprehensive epidemiological studies will be crucial to understanding and addressing this public health concern.