Scrub typhus is spreading across Nepal. Here’s what you need to know
Summary
Scrub typhus has infected more than 9,000 people across Nepal since January, with cases reported in 74 districts and a severe outbreak in Salyan. Health officials say the disease can be treated with antibiotics, but prompt testing and care are crucial because delayed treatment can lead to serious complications or death.
Key Points
- More than 9,000 people across Nepal have been infected with scrub typhus since January, with 2,718 new cases reported in the past month.
- Salyan’s Darma Rural Municipality has reported over 600 infections and eight deaths, prompting panic and urgent medical visits in the area.
- Doctors say scrub typhus is treatable with antibiotics such as doxycycline and azithromycin, which are available free at state-run health facilities.
- Health officials are urging people in outbreak areas to seek immediate care for fever, chills, headache, body ache, or a chigger-bite crust, and to avoid delaying treatment.
