Jaipur: Rajasthan reported 2,234 scrub typhus cases in the first nine months of 2026, exceeding the 2,039 cases recorded during the whole of 2025, according to health department data.Alwar has reported the highest number of cases this year at 461, up from 165 in 2025. Kota has recorded 249 cases, compared with 181 last year, while Udaipur reported 239 cases. Jaipur has recorded 153 cases so far.A senior health department official said the infection, previously detected largely in rural areas, is now being reported in urban areas as well. While most cases continue to come from rural belts, the spread to cities raises concerns about possible exposure in urban green spaces.“This is a cause for concern, though the majority of cases are still coming from rural areas,” the official said.Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness transmitted through the bite of infected mites, which are commonly found in grassy, scrub-covered and overgrown areas, with infections often rising during the rainy season.Symptoms include fever, headache, body ache and rash, which typically develop around 10 days after infection. The detection of cases in urban areas suggests people may also be exposed to infected mites in parks, gardens and grassy patches.Health officials have advised people to avoid sitting or walking through dense grass and to wear protective clothing in areas where exposure is likely. Anyone developing a fever after possible exposure should seek medical attention promptly.Doctors warn that delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious complications. Early detection and appropriate antibiotic treatment are important to prevent severe illness and deaths, particularly among elderly people and other vulnerable patients.
