Anugola: Anugola district health authorities have denied reports that three people died of scrub typhus in the Palalahada area over the past 15 days, saying only one case has so far been confirmed through an accepted diagnostic test.

Anugul District Chief Medical and Public Health Officer (CDMO) Dr. Madan Mohan Pradhan said the claim that three people died of scrub typhus is “completely false” and urged people not to panic over unconfirmed reports.

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According to media reports, three persons from the Palalahada area were allegedly detected with scrub typhus and died over the past fortnight. The latest reported death was that of Usha Nayak, a resident of Rajadang village under Palalahada block, who reportedly died after being diagnosed with scrub typhus.

Earlier, Jamuna Nayak of Rajadaga village and Sumanta Sethy of Sanabagadari village were also reported to have died of the infection.

However, Dr. Pradhan said that only one scrub typhus-positive case has been confirmed in Palalahada so far, and the patient has fully recovered.

He clarified that suspected scrub typhus cannot be considered confirmed unless an ELISA test establishes the infection. According to the CDMO, reports being cited as positive were based on tests conducted at private hospitals and clinics, including rapid test kits, which are not accepted by the government for confirmation of scrub typhus.

Dr. Pradhan further said that the three deceased persons had pre-existing health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Therefore, it cannot be concluded without proper confirmation that scrub typhus was responsible for their deaths, he said.

The CDMO said health department teams are being sent to areas across the district whenever information about suspected scrub typhus cases is received.

He also said private hospitals and clinics would be instructed to send samples to the district headquarters hospital for ELISA testing if their preliminary tests indicate scrub typhus infection.

“ELISA test reports are required to confirm scrub typhus,” Dr. Pradhan said, adding that spreading fear among people without confirmation of the disease is a serious matter.

He warned that strict action would be taken against private healthcare facilities if they create public panic by declaring scrub typhus cases positive without proper confirmation.

The health department has appealed to people to rely on officially confirmed test results and avoid spreading unverified information regarding scrub typhus deaths in Palalahada.