As the focus on scrub typhus grows in Andhra Pradesh, it has come to light that two women, one 20-year-old and the other 64, from Palnadu district died after testing positive for the disease in November.
M. Jyothi, 20, of Muppalla mandal first had symptoms of fever and diarrhea and went to a private hospital for treatment. With no improvement in her condition, she was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS-Mangalagiri) on 24 October and died on 1 November. The other woman, Nagamma, 64, of Rajupalem mandal was treated for fever at Sattenapalle Area Hospital and was then referred to Guntur Government General Hospital (GGH). She died on November 16.
Palnadu District Medical Officer B. Ravi said that while it is true that they tested positive for Scrub Typhus, it is not yet confirmed whether they died of it. “We are in the process of ascertaining the causes and whether they had any co-morbidities. Nagamma had some liver problems. We have formed rapid response teams from GGH-Guntur to investigate their deaths,” said Dr. Ravi.
He added that teams will look at medical records, visit families and examine the conditions in which they lived. Dr. Ravi said that while Jyothi’s family members are goat herders, Nagamma was an agricultural labourer.
Dr. Pointing out that Palnadu district does not report many cases of scrub typhus, Ravi said it is a common fever and there is no need to worry about it. This year till November 30, the district reported 11 cases.
According to information from the Ministry of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, the infection, which spreads to humans through the bite of larval mites, occurs mainly in areas where rats are active. People living near dense vegetation or agricultural fields are more likely to be affected. These insects usually bite people during the night.
Keeping the surroundings clean, wearing shoes when traveling to agricultural fields, cleaning mats, mattresses and pillows once a week, ensuring that rats do not enter the living areas, using blankets when sleeping on the floor are some of the preventive measures that can be taken to stay safe.
Published – 03 Dec 2025 20:30 IST
