Key Takeaways:
- 10,210 scrub typhus cases recorded in 74 districts this year
- Lumbini reported the highest number of infections with 2,848 cases
- Cases surged sharply during July, August and September
- Health authorities urge precautions against mite-borne infection
Nepal has recorded 10,210 scrub typhus cases across 74 districts during the first 40 epidemiological weeks of 2026, with infections rising sharply during the monsoon and post-monsoon period, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD).
The latest government situation report shows Lumbini Province recorded the highest number of cases at 2,848, accounting for 27.9 percent of the national total.
Sudurpashchim reported 2,013 cases, followed by Gandaki with 1,895, Bagmati with 1,284, Koshi with 1,160 and Karnali with 751.
Madhesh Province recorded the lowest number of infections, with 259 cases.
Although Lumbini reported the highest number of cases, Gandaki registered the highest incidence rate at 78.5 cases per 100,000 population. Sudurpashchim followed with 75.3 cases per 100,000 population, while Lumbini recorded 55.3 cases per 100,000.
At the district level, Dang reported the highest number of infections with 628 cases, followed by Syangja with 525, Bajhang with 457 and Sankhuwasabha with 456.
Palpa recorded 403 cases, Dhading 368, Salyan 342, Bardiya 325, Darchula 324 and Gorkha 321.
The report shows a pronounced seasonal rise beginning in mid-year. Monthly infections increased from 326 cases in January and 231 in February to 615 in June before surging to 1,352 in July, 2,571 in August and 2,833 in September.
A further 717 cases were recorded during October up to the reporting period.
Scrub typhus is a mite-borne bacterial disease that can cause fever, severe headache, muscle pain and extreme fatigue. Patients may also develop an eschar, a dark scab-like lesion at the site of the bite.
The EDCD has urged people working in fields, bushes and forest areas to take preventive measures, including wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent and wearing protective footwear.
Health authorities have also advised people to wash clothing thoroughly after fieldwork, maintain clean surroundings and control rodent populations to reduce exposure risks.
People experiencing symptoms have been urged to seek prompt medical evaluation at nearby health facilities. The government has also encouraged the public to use the toll-free health hotline 1115 for health-related information and assistance.