34-year-old woman dies at IGMC Shimla
The Himachal Pradesh health department has issued an advisory on scrub typhus after the season’s third death at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla. The latest victim, 34-year-old Saroj from Rohru, was admitted on August 8 with severe sepsis and septic shock. She tested positive for scrub typhus the next day but succumbed during treatment on August 10.
Rising infection trend in hospital tests
According to IGMC Medical Superintendent Dr. Rahul Rao, the immediate cause of death was sepsis with septic shock triggered by scrub typhus. Testing data indicates a worrying rise in cases—by August 6, out of 29 samples, six were positive; on August 12, three of the four samples tested were positive.
Endemic disease with fatal risks if untreated
Scrub typhus, transmitted through bites of mites carrying Orientia tsutsugamushi, is endemic in Himachal Pradesh. If untreated, it can damage internal organs and become fatal. The mites thrive in bushes, grass, gardens, and on rats.
Public urged to take preventive measures
Shimla’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Yashpal Ranta, has advised residents to avoid exposure by covering arms and legs when visiting fields or forests, bathing and changing clothes after outdoor activities, keeping surroundings clean, removing weeds, controlling rats, and spraying insecticides.
Free treatment available at government facilities
All government health centres in Shimla district offer free treatment for scrub typhus. Health officials emphasize that early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial to preventing deaths from this seasonal infection.
