As of August 17, three people including two children, had died and 91 others had been infected from scrub typhus, according to an article published on MyRepublica.com. The disease has been spreading in various districts across the country since the last four months.

Officials at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of the Department of Health Services (DoHS) recently informed that a 45-year-old woman from Chitwan, who was infected from the disease, died in the course of treatment.

Other recent cases include two children–one 15 months old and other three years–dying from the viral infection while receiving treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS).

Scrub typhus is a disease caused by the Rickettsia bacteria. Doctors say the bacteria is transmitted by fleas, mites or lice and can affect the lungs and brain and lead to renal failure and even lead to heart problems if not treated within 10 days. It may eventually result in death.

Dr Gunani Sharma, Chief of Epidemiology Section at the EDCD, said that infections have been reported in 22 districts so far. Infection has been reported to the EDCD from Nuwakot, Gorkha, Dhading, Nawalparasi, Sindhupalchowk, Bara, Parsa, Kailali, Dhankuta, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, Ilam Morang, Makwanpur, Rukum, Sankhuwasabha, Baglung, Chitwan, Bhojpur and other four districts.