Bhubaneswar: At least seven new cases of scrub typhus have been detected in Odisha’s Sundargarh where the highly infectious disease appears to be spreading rapidly.
With the detection of fresh cases, the total number of scrub typhus cases in Sundargarh has increased to 169 so far this year, according to Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Sundargarh Kanhucharan Nayak.
Most of the patients belong to Sundargarh Sadar and Balishankara blocks. One patient in the district has reportedly died of scrub typhus.
The CDMO said that an ample stock of medicines is available for the patients and a special team of doctors is prepared to attend to the patients in the district.
Several people in the district are showing symptoms like fever, headache, and chest pain. ANM and ASHA workers have been directed to spread public awareness about the deadly virus, informed the CDMO.
With the state government directing the district health authorities to focus on preventive measures to arrest the spread of the virus, he said steps have been taken to promote awareness among the people. “ANM and ASHA workers are visiting households to spread awareness on preventions. Surveillance and testing of suspected patients have also been heightened,” he added.
Bargarh, another western Odisha district, has also witnessed spread of the virus. The virus has claimed the lives of 6 persons so far.
Manwhile, six new cases of scrub typhus were detected at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Vimsar) at Burla on Friday. Of the six, two patients were admitted to the hospital, while four were provided medication and advised to stay at home. The patients are from different districts of western Odisha. The condition of all the patients is stated to be stable, doctors said.
Official sources in Vimsar said as many as 100 tests for scrub typhus are being carried out in the hospital daily, with at least 5% positivity rate.
