In view of the rising number of cases and reported deaths due to of Scrub Typhus in Himachal Pradesh, Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare had sought a detailed report from the State Government. Having received the detailed report, the Union Health Minister has assured all support to the Himachal Pradesh Government in managing the endemic disease observed in this region.
Shri Nadda added that the Union Ministry is willing to send an expert committee to the State on its request. “The Ministry is very closely monitoring the situation and if requested shall provide all logistical and technical support to the Himachal Government to strengthen their capacity to effectively manage the situation”, stated Shri Nadda. This has been conveyed to the State, he added.
While the Health Minister pressed on the need to start rigorous awareness campaigns regarding the preventive steps to be taken by the people at the community level, he has also directed the officials of the Health Ministry to be alert and gear up activities to be taken for awareness generation, prevention and control of Scrub Typhus.
Scrub Typhus is an acute illness caused by a bacterium Orintia Tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected mite larva present in the soil having scrub vegetation. Himachal is an endemic region as it has a large scrub vegetation.