Two die of scrub typhus at Salooni in Chamba district

Chamba, August 22

Chamba district has reported two deaths due to scrub typhus in the Salooni subdivision, where a woman and her son from Snuuh village succumbed to the disease.

The duo had tested positive for the disease while receiving treatment at Chamba Medical College. After initial treatment, they were referred to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda in Kangra.

However, the woman identified as Rekha Kumari, died en route near Bathri town while, her son Ashish, later succumbed to the illness while undergoing treatment at Tanda medical college.

Health officials said on Tuesday, Rekha Kumari and her son were bitten by chiggers (larval mites) while working in the fields. Rekha’s condition deteriorated rapidly, prompting her family to rush her to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba. There, she tested positive for scrub typhus.

Later that evening, Ashish also fell ill and was taken to the hospital, where he, too, tested positive for scrub typhus. Due to their critical condition, the mother-son duo was referred to Tanda medical college.

Confirming the incident, Chamba’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Vipin Thakur said Block Medical Officer of Kihar was directed to launch an awareness campaign at the village level in response to the tragedy. He urged people to cover their bodies fully when working in fields and forests in this season and to spray insecticides around their homes to prevent such incidents.

Scrub typhus is a bacterial infection caused by orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria. It is caused by the bite of infected larval mite (chigger), which is mainly found in shrubs. It is largely prevalent in the rural areas and occurs mostly during the monsoon season. Its symptoms are similar to chikungunya’s and is spread by fleas that feed on grass-fed insects. The symptoms of scrub typhus are fever, muscle pain, headache, cough and gastrointestinal problems.

The peak season when the disease spreads is August to October. The health authorities advise people to avoid walking barefoot and wear gloves and gumboots while working in the fields.

A bacterial infection

Scrub typhus is a bacterial infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria. It is caused by the bite of infected larval mite (chigger), which is mainly found in shrubs. It is largely prevalent in the rural areas and occurs mostly during the monsoon season. The symptoms of scrub typhus are fever, muscle pain, headache, cough and gastrointestinal problems.