THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Scrub typhus death has been reported in the state once again. The dead has been identified as Siddharth (11), son of Ratheesh and Shubha, natives of Kilimanoor. He is a seventh standard student of Kilimanoor Government Higher Secondary School.

The child was diagnosed with fever, four days ago. He sought treatment at a nearby primary health centre. He was later shifted to SAT hospital, but could not be saved. Two scrub typhus deaths were reported in the state, last month. A class X student, Aswathy, daughter of Varakala natives Shaji Das and Anitha, had died of scrub typhus, early this year. A pet dog, at their house, was also found infected with scrub typhus. After a week, Parassala native Subitha, who was diagnosed with scrub typhus, died while undergoing treatment at Medical College Hospital.

Last year, a total of six people had died of scrub typhus in the state. Whereas, eight people died in 2020. The symptoms include fever with chills, headache, red eyes, sore throat, muscle aches and dry cough. In rare cases, it can get complicated enough to affect the brain and heart. Those with symptoms should immediately seek treatment.