Key takeaways:

• Scrub typhus infections were reported from 74 districts between January 1 and October 1, 2026
• The EDCD situation report records seven verified deaths during the reporting period
• Lumbini recorded 2,779 cases, or 28 percent of the national total
• Monthly infections reached 2,746 in September, following 2,571 cases in August

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 2 Nepal has recorded 9,923 cases of scrub typhus from 74 districts since January 1, with the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division confirming seven verified deaths from the disease, according to the Situation Report issued by EDCD, covering the period till October 1, 2026. Scrub typhus is a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of chigger mites, which are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The disease is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. The EDCD says infections have been increasing in Nepal in recent years. The latest figures show that transmission increased markedly during the middle and later months of the year. Nepal recorded 326 cases in January, 406 in February, 633 in March, 709 in April, 589 in May and 578 in June. Cases then increased sharply, reaching 1,342 in July, 2,571 in August and 2,746 in September. The report's monthly table also records 23 cases in October, bringing the cumulative total to 9,923. The September figure was the highest monthly total recorded in the 2026 table, followed by August and July, indicating a pronounced concentration of reported infections during the monsoon and late-summer period. Lumbini records highest provincial burden Lumbini recorded the highest number of reported infections among the seven provinces, with 2,779 cases (28.0% of the national total) and a case rate of 54.0 per 100,000 population. Sudur Pashchim reported 1,947 cases (19.6%), with a case rate of 72.9 per 100,000, while Gandaki recorded 1,864 cases (18.8%) and the highest case rate of 77.2 per 100,000. Bagmati reported 1,226 cases (12.4%), followed by Koshi with 1,132 (11.4%), Karnali with 729 (7.3%) and Madhesh with 246 (2.5%). Their respective case rates were 19.7, 22.8, 43.0 and 4.0 per 100,000 population. Dang tops district-level tally At the district level, Dang recorded the highest number of reported cases, with 624 infections, equivalent to 6.3 percent of the national total. It was followed by Syangja with 513 cases, Bajhang with 456, Sankhuwasabha with 438, and Palpa with 396. The remaining districts in the top 10 were Dhading with 340 cases, Bardiya with 323, Gorkha with 319, Darchula with 312 and Salyan with 305. The EDCD's general advisory also identifies Dang, Salyan, Bajhang, Syangja, Bardiya, Palpa and Sankhuwasabha, among other districts, as areas where relatively high levels of infection have been observed. Cases substantially higher than previous years in late summer The monthly figures show a sharp year-on-year increase, with 1,342 cases in July 2026, 2,571 in August and 2,746 in September, compared with 1,056, 1,663 and 1,692 respectively in 2024, and 735, 1,681 and 2,366 in 2025. Health officials urge early medical attention The EDCD says scrub typhus can be treated with medicines available free of charge at government health institutions and has urged people experiencing symptoms to seek medical care promptly. The advisory lists high fever, severe headache, muscle and body pain, red spots or scabs on the skin, red eyes and fatigue among symptoms associated with the disease. People who develop fever, headache or body and muscle pain have been advised to visit a health facility rather than delay treatment. The health division has also advised people to take precautions when working in grassland, agricultural fields, forests and shrub-covered areas, where exposure to chigger mites can occur. It recommends wearing full-sleeved clothing and trousers that cover the body, along with gumboots or sturdy shoes, when entering such areas. People returning from farm work, grass cutting or forest areas are advised to change their clothes immediately and wash with lukewarm water and soap. The EDCD also recommends using insect repellent whenever feasible. The division has urged households to monitor and control rodent or mouse habitats around living areas and to maintain cleanliness by removing tall grass and bushes around homes. Anyone developing symptoms such as sudden high fever, severe headache, body pain or red spots has been advised to seek immediate medical evaluation and remain in contact with health workers. For further information about scrub typhus, the EDCD has provided the toll-free number 1115.