Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by the bacterium *Orientia tsutsugamushi*. It is transmitted by the bite of infected larval mites (chiggers) and is endemic to the Asia-Pacific region, affecting rural populations and travelers. Characterized by fever, rash, and a distinctive eschar, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.
1 active Scrub typhus report in Alaska — and this is changing daily.
Don't find out from the news. Get real-time updates and see which cities are affected.
Scrub typhus was first described in Japan in 1899 by Dr. Hakuju Kitajima. It gained significant attention during World War II, causing considerable morbidity and mortality among military personnel operating in endemic regions of the Asia-Pacific. Its historical impact underscored the need for research into vector-borne diseases.
Scrub typhus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected larval trombiculid mites, commonly known as chiggers. These mites acquire the bacterium *Orientia tsutsugamushi* from rodents, which serve as reservoirs, and can also pass the infection to their offspring (transovarial transmission). Human-to-human transmission does not occur.
Contagious Period: Varies by disease
Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance
Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Scrub typhus activity across Alaska. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.
Get instant push notifications when Scrub typhus activity increases in Alaska or your specific county.
For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to Alaska, visit your state health department's website.
Whether you live in Alaska or are traveling there, knowing the symptoms, timeline, and when to seek care helps you act quickly if exposure occurs.
Seek care if you experience severe dehydration, bloody stools, high fever, or symptoms lasting more than 3 days. Children under 5, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals should seek care earlier.
Emergency symptoms: Severe dehydration, inability to keep fluids down for 12 or more hours, or neurological symptoms require emergency care.
Get Scrub typhus alerts for Alaska.
Know the moment activity changes. Weekly digest included.
Trusted information from leading health organizations
Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization
View WHO Resources →Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-18
No confirmed cases reported in Alaska yet. Here are the latest Scrub typhus reports from our global surveillance network.
This event envelope includes reports on scrub typhus cases in China. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=dd19c0b8-bf19-4de2-94ad-2e151b702d60)
Health authorities are urging caution against tick-borne infectious diseases such as scrub typhus and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), which occur most frequently in Korea during the months of October and November. The risk is particularly high during the harve…
Receive instant push notifications when Scrub typhus activity increases in Alaska or your travel destinations. Track 200+ diseases with location-based alerts. Used by healthcare systems, EMS, schools, and travelers worldwide.
Open Web App Enterprise Solutions