JP Nadda assures support to Himachal in tackling scrub typhus

Shimla, Sep 27 Union Health Minister JP Nadda today assured all support to the Himachal Pradesh government in tackling the endemic scrub typhus disease in the region.

In view of the rising number of cases and reported deaths due to of scrub typhus in Himachal, Nadda had sought a detailed report from the state government.

Having received the report, Nadda has now offered to send an expert committee to the state.

"The Ministry is very closely monitoring the situation and if requested, shall provide all logistical and technical support to the state government to strengthen their capacity to effectively manage the situation," Nadda said.

While stressing the need to start rigorous awareness campaigns regarding the preventive steps to be taken by the people at the community level, he 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.

According to official sources, scrub typhus has so far claimed 23 lives in the state while 724 patients have tested positive for the disease.

PTI