Rajasthan has 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 state health department data reported from Jaipur.

Source: The Times of India, Jaipur (via Visit in Rajasthan)

Alwar has reported the highest number of cases this year at 461, up sharply from 165 in 2025. Kota has recorded 249 cases, compared with 181 last year, while Udaipur has reported 239 cases and Jaipur 153 cases so far this year.

A senior health department official said the infection, previously detected largely in rural areas, is now being reported in urban areas as well, which 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. Earlier reporting on the outbreak this month put Rajasthan's case count at about 2,100, with at least 15 deaths reported.

Source: Health and Me

What scrub typhus is, and the official advice

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, and the detection of cases in cities suggests people may also be exposed 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, and to seek medical attention promptly if a fever develops after possible exposure. Doctors warn that delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious complications, and that early detection and appropriate antibiotic treatment are important to prevent severe illness and deaths, particularly among elderly people and other vulnerable patients.