Scrub typhus appears to be spreading in Nepal

According to various reports, there are now 76 people who have been infected with scrub typhus, many in new geographical areas. Two of the 11 children admitted to the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan in the past 30 days have died. The children are from the Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Morang and Ilam districts.

Advice

This illness is transmitted by the bites of infected mite larva (an insect). If diagnosed early, it can be successfully treated with readily available antibiotics. Travellers can reduce the risk of exposure to scrub typhus by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mite larva (insect) bites. If symptoms develop after mite bites, seek medical care at once.