CHITWAN, Sept 30: Since mid-July, 229 people in Chitwan have been diagnosed with scrub typhus, according to the District Public Health Office. Among the infected, a 60-year-old woman from Khairahani Municipality-2 passed away in August.
Public Health Officer Bimal Patel reported that out of 1,815 patients tested across various hospitals in the district, 259 were confirmed to have scrub typhus. Of these, 130 were from Chitwan, and 129 from other regions.
Take effective measures to stop the spread of scrub typhus
Last year, 248 cases were recorded from 762 tests. Scrub typhus is transmitted to humans through bites from mites that infest rodents or other animals. Symptoms include high fever, red eyes, coughing, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and body pain. Black spots can sometimes appear at the bite site.
To prevent infection, Patel advises wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent, maintaining clean surroundings, trimming grass near homes, and controlling rodents through proper grain storage.