Rourkela: The number of scrub typhus cases in Sundargarh district is increasing on a daily basis. Even though the rate of new infections is slow, district officials are monitoring the situation closely, sources said Friday. Doctors said that implementation of proper preventive measures will certainly keep in control the spread of the disease.
“Tests are being carried out on all symptomatic persons regularly. Today (Friday) 10 fresh cases have been reported taking the tally of infected patients to 221,” informed Sundargarh CDMO, Kanhu Charana Naik.
“Since mid-September we have been monitoring the spread of the disease. At that time the number of patients stood at 164. Since then, 57 new cases have been identified,” added Naik.
Till now one person has succumbed to the scrub typhus disease. The CDMO however, pointed out that the patient was suffering from comorbidities including liver and kidney ailments.
Meanwhile, a doctor on condition of anonymity said that there shouldn’t be any panic about the scrub typhus bacteria. “Look there is nothing to be worried about. However, people should immediately take medical advice if they feel they have been infected by the disease or they develop external insect bite marks,” the doctor stated.
The CDMO informed that the disease can be controlled if people take precautionary measures. Scrub typhus affects people working on paddy fields and is caused by larval mites bites. “So people who work on farmlands should take proper preemptive measures. Also, people in urban areas should get rid of unnecessary foliage and plants,” stated Naik.
Balishankara block of Sundargarh district remains the worst affected with a large number of scrub typhus cases being reported on a daily basis. This is because of the presence of natural forests in the area. Quite a few cases have also been reported from Sabdega block, informed officials.
PNN
