Andhra Pradesh Scrub Typhus Alert: 9 suspected deaths, over 1,500 cases detected

Amaravati: Nine people have died due to suspected Scrub Typhus disease, Andhra Pradesh Commissioner of Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department G Veerapandian said on Monday. The government has ordered whole genome sequencing of the deceased patients to determine the exact cause of death.

According to the PTI report, he said that Scrub Typhus diagnostic tests are being conducted at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state, and samples are being sent for deeper genome sequencing tests in Guntur and Tirupati.

Scrub Typhus, or bush typhus, is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Orientia tsutsugamushi.

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It spreads through the bite of an infected chigger (the larval stage of a certain type of mite). Its symptoms are high fever, headache and joint pain.

“No death has yet been officially confirmed due to Scrub Typhus, and genome sequencing will determine the exact cause,” said Veerapandian, addressing a press conference.

According to the commissioner, Andhra Pradesh has reported over 1,500 positive cases so far, attributing the rise in the detection of these cases to expanded testing.

According to Veerapandian, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of cases nationally, while those in Andhra Pradesh remain comparatively lower than the neighbouring states.

Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed across 26 districts to conduct epidemiological investigations where there are a high number of cases or abnormal deaths. These teams will also assess the residential surroundings and implement required precautions.

Awareness campaigns are going on through Agriculture, Panchayat Raj, and other departments to educate the public on early detection, preventive measures, and to seek medical care promptly.

“An insect bite usually forms a black scab on the skin. Blood samples are collected and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) tests confirm Scrub Typhus rapidly,” said Guntur Government General Hospital (GGH) Superintendent Dr Ramana Yasaswi, reports PTI.

Other officials said that genome sequencing is required to confirm whether any death was caused by Scrub Typhus, crucial for understanding and preventing future cases.

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