Andhra Pradesh: Scrub typhus outbreak leaves 8 dead, over 1,500 infected
Andhra Pradesh is dealing with a fast-spreading scrub typhus outbreak—eight people have died and more than 1,500 have fallen ill so far.
Just between December 4 and 6, the state saw a sharp jump of 746 new cases.
How different districts are affected
The deaths happened in Palnadu (3), Bapatla (2), Krishna (1), SPSR Nellore (1), and Prakasam (1).
Chittoor district has the highest number of cases at 417 but hasn't reported any deaths yet.
Interestingly, Palnadu saw three deaths from only 22 cases.
What's being done about it
Health teams are stepping up: over 7,000 samples tested so far and huge stocks of antibiotics like azithromycin and doxycycline ready to go.
They're focusing on rural and tribal areas where people are more exposed to mites.
The main goal now is catching infections early to stop the spread and save lives.