KATHMANDU: A total of 695 persons have tested positive for scrub typhus in 63 districts in the last two months.

The Nepal Epidemiology and Disease Control Division reported that as of September 23, three persons have died of scrub typhus, an infectious illness caused by rickettsia transmitted to humans and rodents by the bite of the larva of trombiculid mites, also known as chigger, in the last two months.

Around 63 districts, mainly Dhading, have been reportedly affected with cases of scrub typhus this summer.

The Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku have reported 32 scrub typhus cases since mid-April this year.

Seventy four cases have been recorded in Dhading district and 61 cases in Dadeldhura, 59 in Palpa, 46 in Rupandehi, 36 in Gulmi, 26 in Kathmandu, 11 in Lalitpur, 17 in Kavre, 18 in Kapilvastu, 18 in Arghakhanchi, 13 in Bardiya, 10 in Syangja, and 20 in Banke district, according to the Nepal Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

The Division said Province 5 has been the most-hit province with a total of 237 persons testing positive for scrub typhus followed by Province 3 affecting 204 persons.

Likewise, a total of 22 have been affected with scrub typhus in Province 2, eighteen in Province 1, and 8 in Karnali Province.

The Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku have reported 32 scrub typhus cases since mid-April this year.

“Case of the scrub virus have been reportedly increased in various parts of the country,” said Dr. Anup Bastola at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital.

Doctors suggest that people, especially near the fields, forest clearings, and grassy regions need to be cautious, and wear long clothes to cover their entire body.

Likewise, people also need to avoid areas with bushes where mites are found. According to Dr Bastola, the infected chiggers are mainly found in dense areas of scrub vegetation.

These mites are very small and cannot be seen with naked eyes. Doctors say the larva is the only stage that transmits the disease to humans from mites to ’rats or mice.

However, this disease is not directly transmitted from person to person.

What is scrub typhus?

Scrub typhus is an infectious illness caused by rickettsia transmitted to humans and rodents by the bite of the larva of trombiculid mites, also known as a chigger. If the disease is not treated early, it can even claim lives, doctors say.

The presence of scrub typhus in the country was officially confirmed in 2015, after the devastating earthquake, when around 101 cases were reported from 16 districts.

Nepal also witnessed scrub typhus outbreak in 2016 with around 800 reported cases and 14 deaths.

Symptoms

Symptoms of this disease include fever, headache, body aches, muscles pain, mental changes, and dark scab-like regions on the bitten spot, enlarged lymph nodes, and rashes.