Kathmandu’s indoor scrub typhus outbreak

The Valley is currently facing one of its largest scrub typhus outbreaks.

A few days ago, a 40-year-old male was admitted to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH), with a five day history of fever, severe headache, joint pain, red eyes and nausea. Examination revealed a scab known as “eschar” on his right thigh. He also reported shortness of breath on exertion. Serological testing confirmed a diagnosis of scrub typhus. Similarly, a 30-year-old female was admitted to STIDH with a five day history of high-grade fever, headache and severe abdominal pain. She also reported experiencing noticeable shortness of breath. Another female patient was admitted to STIDH with a seven day history of fever, who had also developed shortness of breath prior to the onset of fever. All these patients were residents of Kathmandu.