Scrub typhus

Scrub typhus — DVA SoP factors

Every factor in the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles for Scrub typhus. DVA can only accept a claim for Scrub typhus if at least one of these factors is met and connected to your service. Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) applies to operational service; Balance of Probabilities (BoP) applies to peacetime service.

Source: Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles as held by the Veterans Health Centre. SoPs are amended and replaced regularly; always confirm the current instrument at rma.gov.au before relying on it.

RH No. 77 of 2018 · BoP No. 78 of 20184 factors

Meaning of scrub typhus: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, scrub typhus means a clinical illness caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, formerly known as Rickettsia tsutsugamushi.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 77 of 2018

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting scrub typhus or death from scrub typhus with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

(1)
being exposed to Orientia tsutsugamushi within the 28 days before the clinical onset of scrub typhus;
Note: being exposed to Orientia tsutsugamushi is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(2)
inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for scrub typhus;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(2) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, the condition where it was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person’s relevant service.

Balance of Probabilities (BoP) — Statement of Principles No. 78 of 2018

2 factors

At least one of the following factors must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, scrub typhus or death from scrub typhus is connected with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

(1)
being exposed to Orientia tsutsugamushi within the 28 days before the clinical onset of scrub typhus;
Note: being exposed to Orientia tsutsugamushi is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(2)
inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for scrub typhus;

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