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A Zoonotic Disease in the Himalayas That Needs a Closer Look [commentary]

Saurabh Gurung, Sunita Pradhan

Mongabay
|
23 February 2026

Scrub typhus, a zoonotic disease, transmitted by mite bites, is re-emerging as a significant but under-recognised public health threat in the rural landscapes of the Indian Himalayas. The disease thrives in rodent-rich environments, shaped by ecology and land-use changes, persists amid weak surveillance and declining healthcare access in the plantation areas. There is an urgent need for stronger diagnostics, better reporting systems, greater awareness and collaborative actions. The views expressed in the commentary are those of the authors. The findings are not independently verified by Mongabay-India.

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