Scrub typhus fears cast a shadow over Dashain in Salyan
Summary
Scrub typhus has spread across Salyan district for nearly three months, infecting more than 700 people and killing nine in the worst-hit areas of Darma and Chhatreshwari rural municipalities. Fear and misinformation are keeping many residents from harvesting crops or preparing for Dashain despite a decline in new infections.
Key Points
- Scrub typhus has infected more than 700 people in Salyan district and caused nine deaths, with Darma Rural Municipality the worst affected.
- Residents in the hardest-hit areas are too frightened or too weak to harvest crops or prepare for Dashain.
- Health teams from multiple levels of government are running camps and awareness programs to diagnose, treat and reassure people.
- Local officials say misinformation and repeated outbreaks have deepened anxiety even as new cases begin to decline.
