Scrub typhus: 177 test positive, 1 dies in HP

SHIMLA : After dengue, Himachal has come under the grip of scrub typhus. As per the health department, out of 3,785 people examined for scrub typhus, 177 were found positive and one death was reported in the state till August 6.

Out of the total positive cases, 58 have been reported from Bilaspur, 27 cases have been reported from Shimla, 28 from Solan, 13 from Sirmaur, 20 from Kangra, 15 from Hamirpur, two from Mandi and one case from Kullu district.

A health department official said the mites of scrub typhus fever are more active in the rain, so it spreads rapidly in monsoons and risk of the fever will be high till October.

A death has been reported from scrub typhus in the state, which is alarming and unfortunate, he added.

DENGUE CONTINUE TO HAUNT

Over 150 new cases of dengue have been reported from different areas in last one week, taking the numbers from 420 to 697. Bilaspur remains the worst affected district with 344 positive cases, followed by Solan with 332 positive cases. Earlier, these numbers were 237 and 178, respectively. State’s surveillance officer said most of the cases have

been reported from Dyar area, adjoining the Bilaspur town.

State’s health authority confirmed that 33 fresh cases of dengue were registered on August 6.

Guidelines have been issued to the hospitals and its medicines have been provided to the subhealth centres, said health department director Dr Baldev Thakur.