An outbreak of Paederus dermatitis in a tertiary care hospital in the North-Eastern part of Jharkhand, India: a case report

In October 2024, students at a tertiary-care medical college in North Eastern India reported skin lesions with burning pain. An outbreak investigation suggested that the rashes were caused by acid fly toxin from Paederus beetles, such as the Nairobi. Female rove beetles release the toxin paederin when they are crushed or brushed against the skin. A blistering rash typically appears 24-48 hours after contact and may take several weeks to resolve. Outbreaks of Paederus dermatitis are most commonly reported in Europe and Asia, but have also occurred in other countries. When the region was examined for such flies, Paederus fuscipes was identified as the causative agent. The height of the buildings, night illumination, and monsoon climate were potential risk factors. Preventive measures such as keeping lights off at night when possible, staying indoors during late evening and night, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants were recommended.