CHITWAN: Scrub Typhus infections are on the rise in Chitwan, with 1,055 cases confirmed over the past fiscal year, according to the District Public Health Office. One person has died from the disease during this period.
Of the confirmed cases, 395 are men and 660 are women. In Bharatpur Metropolitan City, 80 men and 134 women were infected. Similarly, 22 men and 48 women were infected in Khairhani Municipality, while six men and five women were infected in Madi Municipality.
Ratnanagar reported 53 male and 77 female cases; Rapti had 24 male and 33 female cases; Kalika Municipality reported 22 men and 31 women infected; and in Ichchakamana Rural Municipality, 10 men and 14 women tested positive.
In addition to local cases, 178 men and 318 women from other districts were diagnosed with scrub typhus while seeking treatment in Chitwan. A total of 7,095 individuals were tested in the district over the fiscal year.
Ram KC, Vector Control Inspector at the District Public Health Office, emphasized the importance of raising public awareness and ensuring timely treatment to control the disease.
He advised people to pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene, avoid bushy areas, and seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms.
He noted that just in the month of mid-July to mid-August, 30 new infections were confirmed from 478 tests. Some of the patients were from within the district, while others had come from nearby areas.
KC added that scrub typhus infections tend to increase during the rainy season. He explained that after rainfall, rats often move into homes, sheds, or forests, and mites on their bodies may detach and bite people, leading to infection.
In the previous fiscal year, 552 people were found to be infected among the 3,800 individuals tested in various hospitals throughout Chitwan. Scrub typhus was first reported in Chitwan in 2072 BS. According to KC, the number of confirmed cases has risen over the years, partly due to increased testing.
In the fiscal year 2076/77, 127 out of 1,516 people tested were infected. The following year, 318 out of 2,290 tested positive. In 2078/79, there were 268 cases among 3,286 tested, and in 2079/80, 503 people tested positive out of 3,461.
Scrub typhus is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mites, often found on rats. The disease is not transmitted from person to person.
Mites typically live in bushes, fields, forests, or garbage-filled areas around homes. KC recommends wearing full-body clothing when going to forests or fields, using proper footwear, avoiding sitting or sleeping directly on the ground, and using mats or rugs when necessary. He also emphasized the importance of proper grain storage to prevent rat infestations.
Symptoms of scrub typhus include a high fever (above 104 degrees Fahrenheit), excessive sweating, red eyes, diarrhea, and damage to vital organs. A red spot often appears at the site of the bite, which may later turn black.
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