DHANGADHI, Oct 21: Four people have died and 96 others have been infected by scrub typhus in Kailali district this year, according to Ashoda Dhakal, medical board in-charge of Seti Zonal Hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Diwas Chaudhary, 16, of Dhangadhi-18, Deepa Rana, 35, of Dhangadhi-6, Sakun Bhat, 24, of Pholbari Dhangadhi, and Krishna Bogati, 15, of Pahalwanpur-3.

There has been rise in the typhus infection this year. Last year, two persons had died and 54 were infected by the disease.

Scrub typhus is a disease caused by the Rickettsia bacteria. Doctors say the  bacteria is transmitted by fleas, mites or lice and can affect the lungs and brain and lead to renal failure and even lead to heart problems if not treated within 10 days. 

According to Dr Shuvesh Rajkaya, those infected with scrub typhus experience various symptoms like extreme headache and red eyes among others. 

According to doctors, those experiencing symptoms should immediately visit health institutes for check-up. They warned that delay in treatment may eventually result in death.

“We have seen a surge in scrub typhus infection this year in the district. As the infection is transmitted through the bites of mites that usually reside in bushes, it is recommended to avoid such potentially risky areas. Likewise, people should ensure that there are no holes that might be sheltering rats and adopt high alertness,” said Dr Rajkaya.
Seti Zonal Hospital has been hit hard by lack of check-up tools and kits needed to diagnose scrub typhus. According to Dr Surya Bahadur Gurung, medical superintendent of the hospital, their stocks of 200 kits used to diagnose the infection has already been depleted. 

“At present, we do not have a single kit to diagnose the infection,” he informed.

According to him, 205 people had visited the hospital for diagnosis of scrub typhus this year. “Among them, 96 were found to be infected. It shows that the problem is of grave concern. Despite the severity of the issue, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) has not sent us necessary kits although we have informed them numerous times,” he added.

 
• scrub typhus
 
• kailali