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Odisha On Scrub Typhus Alert, 6 Deaths In Less Than Two Weeks

Health Edited by Updated: Sep 15, 2023, 3:21 pm
Odisha On Scrub Typhus Alert, 6 Deaths In Less Than Two Weeks

Odisha On Scrub Typhus Alert, Killed 6 In Less Than Two Weeks (Image: pixabay.com)

Six death reported in Odisha by Scrub Typhus.

The infection spreads to human through the bite of a mite mostly seen on grass and bodies of animals.

People who engages in farming, and gardening at high risk.

At least six people have died due to the scrub typhus infection in Odisha in the past 11 days. The state health department has directed the concerned officials to intensify the surveillance measures, and follow the treatment protocol with proper use of antibiotics.

The latest scrub typhus, which spreads through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites), was reported in Odisha”s northwestern district of Sundargarh.

Earlier, five people from Bargarh district had succumbed to the disease.

Health and Family Department of Odisha directed all the State”s medical and public health officers to follow an intensive surveillance system for the early diagnosis of the deadly disease.

What is Scrub Typhus

  • Scrub typhus also known as bush typhus is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria known as Orientia tsutsugamushi. It was first identified in Japan in 1930.
  • The infection spreads to people through the bite of a mite – which is mostly seen in grass, bushes, and on the bodies of animals such as rats, rabbits, mice, and squirrels.
  • People who are in outdoor activities and jobs like gardening, farming are at high risk.
  • Symptoms –  high fever, chills, severe headache, dry cough, body aches, muscle pain, a dark scab-like wound at the site of the chigger bite, enlarged lymph node, red spots or rashes on the body, red eyes, confusion, coma, gastrointestinal symptoms, liver and spleen enlargement, and meningitis
  • The symptoms start around ten days after getting infected.
  • If not treated, the disease could cause multiple organ failure.
  • Prevention is possible by focusing on rodent control, cleanliness, and maintaining hygiene; being cautious while handling pets, applying mite repellents to exposed skin, and regular cleaning of surroundings including removal of shrubs and low vegetation.

“Scrub typhus and Leptospirosis cases are being reported from most of the districts across the state. So intensive surveillance system for early diagnosis need to be strengthened to ensure timely treatment for prevention and management of Scrub Typhus and Leptospirosis”, says the letter written by the state health department .

They have also insisted the district health authorities to ensure the availability of tests in DPHIL by procurement and supply of required test kits, sensitize doctors to advise the test in cause of PUO, early diagnosis, and increase awareness in public.

“All deaths due to these diseases should be investigated and necessary containment measures to be taken, Duta pertaining to such diseases should be shared with SSU in the prescribed format regularly”, the letter added.

Around ten people have also succumbed to the infection in Himachal Pradesh”s Shimla, says reports.

In Shimla, the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) has been witnessing a substantial influx of patients displaying symptoms of the deadly infection, reported the Hindustan Times. The report also states that a total of 295 cases of the infection have been confirmed in the district.

Since January, 132 scrub typhus-positive cases have been detected in Sundergarh district, of which almost all people have been cured, Mint quoted Charan Nayak, Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer in Sundergarh.

 

Topics
alert Death disease health mite odisha scrub typhus symptoms

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