History of scrub typhus in Indonesia
2
Issued Date
2025-04-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00359203
eISSN
18783503
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105001937340
Pubmed ID
40036232
Journal Title
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume
119
Issue
4
Start Page
338
End Page
345
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol.119 No.4 (2025) , 338-345
Suggested Citation
Saraswati K., Baird J.K., Blacksell S.D., Grijsen M.L., Day N.P.J. History of scrub typhus in Indonesia. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol.119 No.4 (2025) , 338-345. 345. doi:10.1093/trstmh/traf017 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/109496
Title
History of scrub typhus in Indonesia
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Scrub typhus is a common but underrecognized cause of fever in the Asia-Pacific region. This review is the first to examine the history of scrub typhus in the context of notable historical events in Indonesia. Scrub typhus was first observed in 1902 and has since been documented through colonial and modern times. However, the available evidence is sparse. This lack of data is influenced by wider factors, including geopolitical climate and socio-economic factors. During the colonial era and World War II, research focused on economic and military interests. There were research gaps during the unstable period following independence in 1945. More research commenced only in the 1970s, mainly under the auspices of the Ministry of Health. Since 2000, there have been sporadic attempts to study scrub typhus on several major islands (Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Borneo, Bali). We found 51 relevant articles documenting the presence of the pathogen and its vectors, with only a single case confirmed with standard laboratory testing. This lack of data, combined with low awareness and diagnostic capacity, makes it difficult for policymakers to appreciate the impact of scrub typhus. Indonesia needs sustainable and continuous surveillance systems, infrastructure and research funding to ensure diseases of public health importance are not neglected.