The number of scrub typhus patients has so far reached 78 across the country, with three deaths so far.

Scrub typhus is an infectious disease caused by the Ricekettsia bacteria and is transmitted to humans from the biting of fleas, mites and lice. It is however easily curable with timely diagnosis and treatment. The deaths were due to lack of awareness, according to health experts.

The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Nepal has already established separate treatment centers for scrub typhus in the 16 affected districts. "It is a type of fever and can be cured through general medicines and antibiotics provided it is timely treated, Shukraraaj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital's Doctor Sher Bahadur Pun said.

The disease is common in summer season.

Continuous fever, headache, sweating, pain around eyes, tiredness, rashes around the neck are the symptoms of the disease. The patient may die for lack of timely treatment. The pathology test for the disease is available at the National Public Health Laboratory, Teku.

Nepali officially confirmed the presence of the disease in the country last year. However, the disease is not human-to-human transmittable. RSS