Scrub typhus emerges as a major public health problem in Nepal

[Shiloh]

Source: https://kathmandupost.com/health/20...ges-as-a-major-public-health-problem-in-nepal

Scrub typhus emerges as a major public health problem in Nepal
Over 16,000 people were infected with the potentially fatal disease last year as the parasite spread beyond rural areas. Scrub typhus emerges as a major public health problem in Nepal
Arjun Poudel
Published at : June 27, 2025
Updated at : June 27, 2025 08:31

Kathmandu

Patients with high fever and severe body aches, headache, abdominal pain, and joint and muscle pain are common in the outpatient department of Patan Hospital—and some of them have of late been testing positive for scrub typhus.

“Patients infected with scrub typhus visit the outpatient department of our hospital regularly for treatment,” said Dr Samita Panta Acharya, medical director at the Patan Hospital. “The number of scrub typhus infections have risen over the years.”

Scrub typhus, or bush typhus, is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by the parasite Orientia tsutsugamushi, a mite-borne bacterium. It spreads to humans when bitten by infected chiggers (larval mites) found in mice.

Along with Patan Hospital, health facilities throughout the country have witnessed an uptick in the number of scrub typhus infections in the past few years.

According to data provided by the Integrated Health Information Management Section under the Department of Health Services, 16,597 people across the country were infected with scrub typhus in the fiscal year 2024-25. Of the total cases of infection, Lumbini Province recorded 4,322 cases, the highest number in the country, followed by Sudurpaschim province (3,746 cases), Karnali province (2,539), Koshi province (2,119), Bagmati Province (1,838), Gandaki province (1,725) and Madhesh province (308).

The number could be higher still, as all cases of infection do not enter government records...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/22/over-5-000-infected-with-scrub-typhus-since-january

Over 5,000 infected with scrub typhus since January
Early treatment crucial to prevent deaths, say doctors. Actual death toll unknown due to lack of a tracking system.
Post Report
Published at : August 22, 2025
Updated at : August 22, 2025 16:22

Kathmandu

As many as 5,017 people have tested positive for scrub typhus in Nepal since January, data provided by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, show.

Some people infected with the life-threatening disease have succumbed to the infection, but the actual number is not known, as most health facilities across the country lack a proper system to determine the cause of death.

“People may have died from complications caused by scrub typhus, but doctors often report that patients died of multi-organ failure,” said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the Vector Control Section at the division. “Due to a lack of a proper system to confirm causes of deaths, we are not in a position to say how many deaths were caused by scrub typhus.”...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/12/18/scrub-typhus-has-topped-dengue-in-nepal-this-year

Scrub typhus has topped dengue in Nepal this year
Around 10,000 people contracted scrub typhus, while 8,262 people have tested positive for dengue so far this year.
Post Report
Published at : December 18, 2025
Updated at : December 18, 2025 19:49

Kathmandu

Last week, a man from Sarlahi district reached the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, after other hospitals could not identify the cause of his fever, which continued for around two weeks.

The patient, who is in his early 30’s, told doctors that he sought treatment at multiple private hospitals in Kathmandu but neither the fever subsided nor the cause of the problems diagnosed.

“We suspected scrub typhus infection and the test confirmed it,” said Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit at the hospital. “Infection in the winter season indicates that the disease is continuously spreading, even in Tarai districts.”...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://english.nepalnews.com/s/health/chitwan-records-two-dengue-and-six-scrub-typhus-cases/


Chitwan records two dengue and six scrub typhus cases
Nepal News
August 14, 2026

CHITWAN: Two new cases of dengue and six of scrub typhus were reported in Chitwan district from mid-July to mid-August.

According to the Public Health Office, one case of dengue was confirmed in Kalika Municipality and another in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality within the district.

Likewise, six cases of scrub typhus were confirmed, including five in Bharatpur Metropolitan City and one in Ratnanagar Municipality, the Office shared.

Additionally, two people from other districts visiting Chitwan for treatment were diagnosed with dengue, and 28 were diagnosed with scrub typhus.

With this, the district recorded a total of four dengue cases and 34 scrub typhus cases during this mid-July to mid-August period...