Odisha Singer Ruksana Bano dies of scrub typhus at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, family alleges foul play

Sambalpur: In an unfortunate incident, popular Sambalpuri singer and album artist Ruksana Bano passed away on Wednesday night while undergoing treatment for Scrub Typhus at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar. 

It was alleged that she died of multiple organ failure caused by scrub typhus. However, her family members alleged that she was poisoned by a rival singer from western Odisha, without revealing the artist's identity.

The 27-year-old singer was sick for 15 days after drinking some juice while shooting for her next album song in Bolangir. She was admitted to a hospital in Bhawanipatna on August 27. 

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After preliminary treatment, she was referred to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Bolangir and later shifted to a private hospital in Bargarh as her condition deteriorated, as per PTI news agency report. She was later brought to AIIMS Bhubaneswar as there was no improvement in her health condition and unfortunately died from organ failure. 

Speaking to TNIE, Dr Santosh Kumar Tete who treated Ruksana at the private hospital in Bargarh said she was admitted on August 31 with complaints of persistent fever and respiratory distress. The test confirmed she was infected with scrub typhus. She was also suffering from severe pneumonia. This apart, her organs had not been functioning as usual as she had liver infection and heart problems too. As her condition deteriorated, she was kept on ventilator for around 10 days,” Dr Tete said.

Meanwhile, her mother and sister claimed that her death was a pre-planned murder. They claimed that her daughter fell out with a fellow singer over some issues following which she might have been poisoned. The deceased's mother had also issued a video message, making similar claims. However, the accused artist has denied the allegations in a video on social media. 

Ruksana is survived by her mother, elder sister and a younger brother. She was the sole bread winner of her family.

Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a disease caused by bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). The most common symptoms of scrub typhus include fever, headache, body aches, and rash.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that at least three people have died from Scrub Typhus infection at a private hospital in Bargarh, Odisha, according to Odisha Public Health Director Dr Nilakantha Mishra. He stated that he had instructed the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Bargarh to send a team to the affected areas to find out further details.

Dr Mishra further added, "Scrub Typhus is a treatable disease, adding that the early detection and treatment will definitely cure the patients. I will request the general public that if you get fever and tick bite, report to the nearest hospital so that you can take medications and the disease further does not spread."

Also read- 3 die of Scrub Typhus in Bargarh district: Odisha Public Health Director