Scrub typhus is caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted through bites from trombiculid mite larvae. It causes symptoms like fever, headache, rash and organ dysfunction. Diagnosis is usually made clinically in endemic areas, but can be confirmed through serology tests. Without treatment with doxycycline or chloramphenicol, it can be fatal, but mortality has decreased to under 2% with antibiotics.