header banner
SOCIETY, Coronavirus

Health ministry warns of Scrub typhus which has symptoms similar to COVID-19

KATHMANDU, September 4: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to remain alert of scrub typhus which has symptoms similar to those of COVID-19. The ministry said quite a few cases of scrub typhus have been reported in the country in recent times.
By Republica

KATHMANDU, September 4: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to remain alert of scrub typhus which has symptoms similar to those of COVID-19. The ministry said quite a few cases of scrub typhus have been reported in the country in recent times. 


Joint Spokesperson for the ministry, Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari said that scrub typhus, a disease with symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, has started appearing recently. Scrub typhus, like COVID-19, causes high fever, reddening of the eyes, cough, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, severe headaches, joint and muscle aches and sometimes black spots on the bite site. 


Related story

Take effective measures to stop the spread of scrub typhus


Scrub typhus ‘Orinsia susugamasi’ is a disease transmitted to humans by the bite of a small tick that is infected with the bacterium. According to Dr Adhikari, scrub typhus can cause infections to the brain, liver, lungs and sometimes lead to multiple-organ dysfunction. 


The ministry has requested everyone to test for scrub typhus even in case of negative results while testing COVID-19. 


Dr Adhikari said that the disease can be cured if it is diagnosed and treated on time. He also suggests wearing long-sleeve clothes and suitable shoes while going to the fields, bush or forest and to apply medicated ointment on the exposed part of the body to avoid tick bites.


(With Inputs from RSS)

Related Stories
SOCIETY

Scrub typhus cases increasing in Baitadi

SOCIETY

Dengue and scrub typhus patients on the rise in Ba...

SOCIETY

One fatality reported as scrub typhus cases rise i...

SOCIETY

Number of scrub typhus cases reaches 45 in Baitadi

OPINION

Typhus alert