The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) advised the public today (November 6) to exercise caution during outdoor activities in the autumn, citing an increase in the activity of chiggers that transmit scrub typhus.

Scrub typhus is caused by the bite of chigger larvae carrying the Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria. Symptoms include an eschar (a black scab) at the bite site, fever, muscle pain, macular rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.

The KDCA monitors chigger population density every year in preparation for the autumn scrub typhus season.

This surveillance system began operating on August 26, when chigger larva density and patient numbers begin to rise, and will run through December 16.

Following a 2.5-fold increase in the chigger density index in the 44th week of the year, caution is required as the number of patients is likely to rise going forward.

KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan emphasized, "Since patient numbers tend to increase with a time lag after chigger activity rises, it is important to practice preventive measures starting now."

To prevent chigger bites, the KDCA recommends avoiding grassy areas higher than the ankles, using mats when sitting or lying down on grass, wearing long sleeves and long socks during outdoor activities, and properly applying tick repellents to shoes, socks, and pants at regular intervals.

After returning home from outdoor activities, it is advisable to shake out and wash clothes, and check for any insect bite wounds while showering.

Those experiencing suspicious symptoms should immediately visit a public health center or medical institution for examination, as scrub typhus can be relatively easily treated with appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of infection.