386 cases of Scrub Typhus detected in Chitwan

Chitwan, Oct 15: Scrub Typhus has been confirmed in 386 patients across various hospitals in Chitwan district since mid-July this year to till date.     

The infection was detected following the tests conducted on 2,144 suspected individuals, informed Bimal Patel, Public Health Officer at the Public Health Office, Chitwan.     

Officer Patel shared that among the infected ones, 196 were from Chitwan district and remaining others from outside of Chitwan district. Among the infected ones reported during this period, one succumbed to the mite-borne disease, he reported.     

The majority of the cases were reported from Bharatpur Metropolitan City in the district at 90. Similarly, 33 cases were detected in Ratnanagar, 20 in Rapti, 17 in Khairahani, 11 in Kalika Municipality, 7 in Madi Municipality and 18 in Icchakamana Rural Municipality, according to the Public Health Office in Chitwan.     

Scrub Typhus is caused by bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. The infection is spread to people through bites of infected mites (chiggers). Symptoms of the infection include fever, chills, headache, body aches and rash among others.     

Officer Patel urged the local residents to observe preventive measures against the infection, suggesting them to avoid bushy areas, wear long-sleeved clothes and staying away from rats and potentially infected animals to mitigate the risk of infection.(RSS)