KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 15
Scrub typhus has been confirmed in 386 patients across various hospitals in Chitwan district since mid-July this year.
The infection was detected after testing 2,144 suspected individuals, according to Bimal Patel, Public Health Officer at the Public Health Office, Chitwan.
Patel reported that 196 of the infected patients were from Chitwan, while the remaining cases were from outside the district. Among the reported cases, one person has succumbed to the mite-borne disease.
The majority of cases were recorded in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, with 90 infections. Other areas include 33 cases in Ratnanagar, 20 in Rapti, 17 in Khairahani, 11 in Kalika Municipality, 7 in Madi Municipality, and 18 in Icchakamana Rural Municipality, as reported by the Public Health Office.
Scrub typhus is caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi and is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mites (chiggers). Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, body aches, and rash.
Officer Patel urged residents to take preventive measures, advising them to avoid bushy areas, wear long-sleeved clothing, and minimize contact with rats and potentially infected animals to reduce the risk of infection.
