Most of the epidemic spread is closely related to the growth environment of insects or rodents as mediators. Climate changes make their growth environment change resulting in an epidemic infection increase. Even though the incidence of scrub typhus is increasing, little is known about scrub typhus compared with other infectious diseases in Korea. The tsutsugamushi infection prevalence of Orientia tsutsugamushi carried by tick was projected for surveillance from April to September in 2011. Chigger mites were collected at Miryang (Mt. Gaji) and Hapcheon (Gaya‐myeon) by the Sherman live trap and hanging method. Each collected samples were identified by microscope. Genomic DNAs were purified using CTB extraction kit and amplified by PCR using INNOPLEX TSUTSU detection kit.
The number of chigger mites was highest in April, and then gradually declined. No chigger mites were collected in July (1st week) and August (1st week). However, chigger mites were collected again after September. We detected Orientia tsutsugamushi from samples collected in May (2nd week) using INNOPLEX TSUTSU detection kit. There has been no sign of an epidemic disease caused by climate change with the exception of tsutsugamushi infection in Korea until now. But, it is gradually requiring continuous monitoring, and the development of protective technology and emergency system for rapid, accurate diagnosis and treatment.