15 die of scrub typhus in Rajasthan this year

At least 15 people have died due to scrub typhus in Rajasthan this year, a senior state health department official said today.
Out of the 880 samples collected from the state, 445 were confirmed positive through Elisa test available in all government hospitals, and patients were given "Doxycycline" tablets, he said.
The government hospitals have been directed to prescribe the tablets to patients with symptoms such as headache, high fever and skin rashes to avoid any risk, he said.
Of the 15 deaths since January this year, three patients have died in Bharatpur, two each in Alwar, Jhalawar, Bundi, Kota and one each in Jaipur, Hanumangarh, Bhilwara and Chittorgarh, the official said.

Due to heavy rains and vast agricultural land, the disease has found its way in Alwar, Kota, Baran, Jhalawar, and Bundi districts, he said.
Underlining that the medical and health department is constantly monitoring the status of diseases such as swine flu and dengue, he said the government hospitals have full supply of essential drugs for patients.
Scrub Typhus is caused by the bite of mites and rats in agricultural fields.
The symptoms include severe headache, high fever and rashes, similar to that in dengue and malaria, the official said.