Scrub typhus is associated with outbreaks of acute encephalitis syndrome in Uttar Pradesh, India. A case-control study indicated that children residing, playing, or visiting fields; living with firewood stored indoors; handling cattle fodder; and practicing open defecation were at increased risk for scrub typhus. Communication messages should focus on changing these behaviors.
Keywords: Deoria; Gorakhpur; India; Orientia tsutsugamushi; Uttar Pradesh; acute encephalitis syndrome; bacteria; bacterial infection; rickettsial diseases; risk factors; scrub typhus; zoonoses.