[Click! Health] The Unwelcome Guest Returning with Autumn: 'Teoljindeugi'

As autumn arrives, the population of chigger mites that cause tsutsugamushi disease is increasing. During outdoor activities in the foliage season, it is important to follow prevention guidelines such as wearing long clothes to avoid chigger mite bites.

Autumn Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 28th, the chigger mite trap index, which is an indicator of the vector of tsutsugamushi disease, recently rose to 0.91, doubling compared to the average year. The chigger mite trap index refers to the number of chigger mites collected divided by the number of traps. The KDCA conducts a chigger mite density surveillance project in 20 regions nationwide from late August to the third week of December, when chigger mites become more abundant.

Tsutsugamushi disease occurs after being bitten by the larvae of chigger mites carrying the Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria. A black scab forms at the bite site, and symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, spotted rash, and lymphadenopathy appear.

Tsutsugamushi disease typically occurs frequently in autumn. Chigger mites generally begin to increase from late September to early October. The number of patients tends to rise sharply until the end of October following the increase in chigger mite populations. Patients occur year-round, but the chigger mite eggs laid in summer hatch mainly in early autumn, and the larvae that emerge feed on the host's body fluids as they grow.

Usually, after being bitten by a mite, there is an incubation period of up to 10 days before acute symptoms develop. Early antibiotic treatment can lead to relatively easy recovery, but since symptoms are often mistaken for a common cold or flu, it is easy to miss the treatment window. Therefore, if symptoms appear, prompt medical attention is necessary.

There are eight species of chigger mites that transmit the Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria in Korea. The Haepun chigger mite is prevalent in the southern and some northern regions, while the Daeyip chigger mite is common in the central and western regions.

Ji Young-mi, director of the KDCA, urged, “Since the probability of contact with chigger mites may increase during the harvest season and autumn foliage season, exposure to risky environments should be minimized to prevent tsutsugamushi disease.” She added, “During farming and outdoor activities, it is important to follow prevention guidelines such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid chigger mite bites.”

○ Before farming or outdoor activities
- Wear work clothes separately from everyday clothes
- Wear clothing that minimizes exposure to ticks
- When farming, fasten sleeves tightly and tuck pants into socks
- Use tick repellents

○ During farming or outdoor activities
- Use a mat when sitting on grass
- Do not leave clothes in the grass or relieve yourself on grass fields
- Do not walk off hiking trails
- Use repellents periodically considering their effective duration

○ After farming or outdoor activities
- Shake off clothes and wash them immediately upon returning home
- While showering, check the body for insect bites, black scabs, or attached ticks
- If suspicious symptoms occur, visit a public health center or medical institution promptly for diagnosis and treatment

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.