Bhubaneswar, September 9: The Odisha government is closely monitoring the situation related to scrub typhus across the state and has so far found no confirmed cases, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling said on Wednesday, urging people not to panic.

Speaking to reporters, Mahaling said the Health and Family Welfare Department has already issued detailed guidelines for the prevention, surveillance and management of scrub typhus. All healthcare institutions have also been directed to strictly follow the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), he said.

“So far, we have not confirmed any case of scrub typhus in the state. The ELISA test results of the suspected cases have also come back negative. There is no need for the people of Odisha to panic,” the minister said.

Referring to a suspected case reported from Palalahada in Angul district, Mahaling said the patient’s ELISA test returned negative, effectively ruling out scrub typhus infection.

The minister said the department has intensified surveillance across the state and is maintaining close watch to facilitate early detection and a timely response to any suspected infection.

District health authorities have also been instructed to remain vigilant and ensure strict implementation of the guidelines issued by the state government, he added.