Scrub Typhus death toll in Odisha’s Bargarh rises to 4; many more battling for life

Sparking widespread fear among the locals, the deadly Scrub Typhus has resurfaced in Odisha’s Bargarh allegedly claiming another life. While three fatalities including a minor girl were reported due to the bacterial disease in the last one week, the tally allegedly rose to four on Wednesday night, reports said.

If reports are to be believed, the fourth patient died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bargarh. However, the government has yet to officially announce the fourth death.

Meanwhile, many others are battling for their lives, informed Bargarh DHH CDMO Nirupama Sarangi.

All three patients who died of Scrub Typhus were undergoing treatment at private hospitals, the CDMO said adding that there were no fatalities at the district headquarters hospital (DHH).

The sudden reappearance of the deadly disease has put the health authorities on their toes.

Notably, over 2,800 cases of scrub typhus were reported from various districts of Odisha last year. The disease had claimed at least eight people in the state in 2023.

“Three deaths have been reported till now due to suspected Scrub Typhus. We have set up district public health laboratories in every district to test Scrub Typhus. These can be controlled if treated in the preliminary stage,” informed Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Public Health.

He further said, “So, I request people to reach out to doctors if they see any symptoms. There are antibiotics and can be cured. It can prove fatal if patients delay in reporting. I request people to immediately take blood test if they see any symptoms. People who go to deep jungles may wear full pants and wear gum boots.”

Talking about the fourth suspected death, Nilakantha said that it wasn’t confirmed and efforts were on to study the case.