In a concerning development, the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla has reported the second death due to scrub typhus this season. The latest victim is a 74-year-old woman, Champa Devi, who succumbed to the disease despite receiving continuous treatment.
According to the hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr. Rahul Rao, Champa Devi, a resident of Bhareri Dhar in Kotgarh, Kumarsain, was admitted to the ICU of the Women’s Medicine Ward on August 22nd. The investigation revealed that she was suffering from Sepsis Multi Organ Dysfunction Syndrome, and tests confirmed she had contracted scrub typhus.
This tragedy comes on the heels of an earlier death of a 34-year-old woman, Saroj, from Rohru, who also lost her life to scrub typhus. Both cases are from the upper Shimla region, which has seen a concerning rise in the number of scrub typhus infections.
Out of the 176 samples tested at IGMC, 56 have tested positive for the disease, and two patients have now succumbed to it.
What is Scrub Typhus? Scrub typhus is a bacterial infection caused by the Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria, which is transmitted through the bites of small mites found in bushes and fields. The symptoms include high fever, headache, body aches, red spots on the skin, and a rash-like swelling at the bite site.
Prevention and Remedies: The hospital management and the health department have urged the public to take precautions, such as wearing full-sleeved clothes and shoes while working in fields or bushes, keeping the surrounding areas clean, and regularly checking their pets. They have also advised people to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health center or IGMC if they experience high fever or any suspicious symptoms, as timely antibiotic treatment can effectively cure the disease.
The rising number of scrub typhus cases in Shimla has raised concerns, and the authorities are working to raise awareness and implement preventive measures to control the outbreak. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and seek medical assistance promptly if they exhibit any signs of the disease.
