Endemic typhus occurs most commonly in warm, coastal regions. In the United States, southern Texas and southern California have the largest number of cases. Scrub typhus is caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi . This bacteria is carried by mites or chiggers. As the mites feed on humans, they deposit the bacteria.
Scrub typhus occurs commonly in the southwest Pacific, southeast Asia, and Japan.
It is a very common cause of illness in people living in or visiting these areas. It occurs more commonly during the wet season. The four types of typhus cause similar types of illnesses, though varying in severity. Epidemic typhus causes fever, headache, weakness, and muscle aches. It also causes a rash composed of both spots and bumps.