3 Die of Scrub Typhus in Odisha’s Bargarh, More Cases Detected

Bargarh: Three people have died due to scrub typhus at a private clinic in Odisha’s Bargarh district this week, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Nirupama Sarangi confirmed on Wednesday.

Sarangi stated that three additional cases have been identified from 20 individuals who underwent ELISA testing this month. The affected individuals are currently stable and being treated at home. The health department has convened a meeting and plans to launch an awareness campaign about the disease.

Sources revealed that Saroj Pradhan, 42, a farmer from Mundapali village, died on Monday, followed by a 70-year-old woman, Sakhi Pradhan, from Padampur on Tuesday, and 16-year-old Sikha Rana from Padampur on Wednesday. Four more patients are receiving treatment at private clinics in the town.

Scrub typhus, also called bush typhus, is a bacterial infection transmitted by infected mite larvae. Common symptoms include fever, headaches, body aches and rash.

Last year, eight deaths were reported due to scrub typhus in Odisha, and 2,820 people tested positive, including Arabinda Kumar Padhee, the then principal secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department.