M A I N   N E W S

Mysterious fever diagnosed as scrub typhus
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 22
The National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) has finally confirmed that the mysterious fever, which would not be diagnosed for four years, is scrub typhus, a disease of the rickettsial group caused by mites.

Dr Arvind Rai, Joint Director of the NICD and a member of the team, today informed the IGMC Hospital authorities that the blood samples had tested positive for scrub typhus which was non-epidemical and non contagious. There was nothing to fear as it could not spread through contact and was easily curable. The detailed report of the investigation carried out by the institute would be sent in a day or two.

Dr Harbans Kapoor, Principal of the IGMC, said the NICD would soon send a team for carrying out field survey to study the causes of infection on the basis of which it would issue guidelines to the health authorities. The disease spread through mites and wild rodents.

He clarified that so far only 15 persons had died of the disease in the hospital not 18. Chandramani had died after he had been discharged while Bharu Devi of Arki had died of tuberculosis meningitis and Thirku Devi (Hamirpur) of cerebral strike.