Angul health officials respond to scrub typhus outbreak in Sanbagdhari

Health authorities in Angul, Odisha, are responding to an outbreak of scrub typhus in Sanbagdhari village. Following initial reports, rapid diagnostic kit tests on 130 villagers identified 22 positive cases.

Chief District Medical Officer Madan Mohan Pradhan stated that while initial kit tests were conducted, blood samples will undergo the more accurate ELISA method for confirmation. Officials clarified that a previous death linked to the disease was actually caused by kidney-related ailments rather than scrub typhus.

Medical teams have been deployed to the village, which is located near dense forests, to provide treatment and monitor residents. Local MLA Ashok Mohanty and sub-collector Rabindra Patel have directed health authorities to conduct widespread testing and sanitize the area to contain the spread. Residents have been advised to use insect repellent when working in agricultural fields.