The authorities in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh say 17 people have died over the last fortnight from an unidentified disease.
Four people died on Sunday, and one hospital said at least 36 people are still undergoing treatment for the disease.
Several more cases have been reported around the state.
Doctors say the symptoms are similar to those of typhus fever, and include high temperatures followed by headaches and chills.
A team from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in Delhi is investigating the outbreak.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
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