The discovery of yet another disease, Shrub Typhus, in a Guwahati hospital has surprised both the general public and the medical community. Some Covid-19 patients at the Covid Hospital in Sarusajai were infected with the zoonotic disease.

The hospital was temporarily closed by the health authorities, and the patients were transferred to the GMCH (Gauhati Medical College and Hospital). Dr. Abhijit Sarma, Superintendent of the GMCH, said, “The Sarusajai Covid Hospital has been temporarily closed to clean and sanitise it. All of the hospital’s patients have been transferred to the GMCH.”

“Shrub Typhus is a rare zoonosis that naturally transmits from animals to humans,” a senior doctor explained. Humans are infected through bites from infected chiggers (larval mites).” Fever, headaches, body pain, and rashes are some of the symptoms of this illness. In the event of an early diagnosis, there is no need to be concerned. Doctors are sometimes perplexed by the symptoms and misdiagnose them as a generalised fever. A specific blood test can be used to confirm the infection.”