Scrub Typhus has taken the life of 3 people from the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh and those deaths occurred in the previous week. The latest case was reported on 1st September.
The medical officer from the health department of Solan district, Dr. Amit Talwar, had mentioned that 3 Scrub Typhus patients had died from the disease during the last 1 week. Another death, according to him, was reported on 1st September and that patient hailed from Solan itself.
Source: Hindustan Times
All these patients who had lost their lives were undergoing their treatment from the Indira Gandhi Medical College of Shimla. The total death count has reached 5 at the hospital and a total of 15 new cases have been registered within the hospital. 4 of the patients were marked as female, who had died from the scrub typhus bacteria.
The 65 year old patient who had died on Thursday had been admitted to the hospital two days prior to their death. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) on that day itself.
15 Out of Hundreds of Patient were Marked as Scrub Typhus Positive
Hundreds of patients had visited the hospital last Thursday, complaining of fever and shivering. Amongst the 30 samples that were sent for testing, 15 had come out to be positive with scrub typhus bacteria.
Source: Times of India
Out of the 773 scrub tests that were performed within the hospital, 207 patients have tested positive. The state of Himachal Pradesh had a total testing of 5,218 scrub typhus samples and out of them 723 have returned a positive result, according to National Health Mission Director, Sudesh Mokta.
The advisory guide has been issued by the state government recently to maintain a tight rein on the spread of the vector-borne bacteria.
Since the month of January 2024, there have been reports of 11 cases of the bacteria within Solan district. The disease of scrub typhus is curable and can be cured with speedy and early detection.
The larval mites or infected chiggers are the carriers of this disease and their bite can transmit the bacteria to the person. Some of the common symptoms of the disease include headache, body aches, fever, and rashes, which might sometimes occur.Â
Source: Daily Post Haryana Himachal
The first detection and investigation of the disease was undertaken during September 2003 and it was tested in the worst affected areas of Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan district of Himachal Pradesh.Â
Monsoon Season is Causing the Cases to Rise at an Alarming Rate
This bush typhus is caused through the Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria. The infection can also be caused by the bites of fleas, mites, lice, etc. aside from the larval mites. These arachnids have become widely spread during this monsoon season.
The bacteria in the farces of these arachnids spread through the tiny wounds that open up in the skin of the person when they itch their skin roughly. The itching can be caused through the bites of these arachnids and the bacteria will enter into their bloodstream through the wounds.
To maintain proper health and to stop the spread of the scrub typhus bacteria, the people are advised by the medical health professionals to avoid areas that had been exposed to the bacteria, keeping their surroundings clean.
It is also important to follow a proper healthy diet that can build immunity and also maintain proper personal hygiene, according to the medical professionals. If the person has to visit any forested areas where there is a chance of being bitten by any arachnids, then they should wear full sleeved clothing to avoid any risks.
The bedsheets that one sleeps on should be cleaned thoroughly to clean them of any lice and other arachnids who can carry the scrub typhus bacteria.
