In the midst of a concerning surge in scrub typhus cases in Odisha, two persons tested positive for the mite-borne bacterial disease in Sundargarh district today, taking the total case tally to 330.
Barring two to three districts, scrub typhus has been detected in rural and urban areas of all districts of Odisha.
Over 22,000 tests have been conducted in the state and over 2,800 people have tested positive for scrub typhus. Amid the rise in scrub typhus cases in the state, a central team visited various affected districts including Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, and Bolangir.
The state health department is taking steps to contain the outbreak.
Amidst this crisis, the health directorate proposed implementing a radical approach to curb the outbreak, a quarantine and treatment plan that would be put into effect after receiving recommendations from the central team.
A team constituted by the state government also visited Sundargarh and Bargarh. Meanwhile, there is a slight confusion over the death toll as a lot of fatalities are reported from private hospitals where tests are done through rapid test kits whereas scrub typhus can be accurately detected through the ELISA test.
“The central team was pleased with the testing facilities in all districts and verbally advised the state to enhance testing,” Public Health Department Director, Niranjan Mishra said.
Mishra further said, “If the disease is identified in its initial stages before it impacts organs, it can be effectively treated with standard medical care.”
On Wednesday, the Principal Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, Arabinda Padhee tested positive for scrub typhus.
Scrub typhus is transmitted through the bite of chiggers, which are harvest mites. Individuals who spend time in farmlands and forests are at risk of contracting this infection. Typical symptoms of scrub typhus encompass fever and the development of a dark, inflamed skin lesion referred to as an 'eschar.'