Two positive cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever have been reported from Aralagodu Gram Panchayat limits in Sagar taluk in the past week.
Kiran S.K., Field Medical Officer of KFD, told The Hindu that the blood samples of a 40-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man from Aralagodu have tested positive for KFD. Both were admitted to McGann Hospital, a government hospital attached to Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences, for treatment and were on the path to recovery. Their health is being closely monitored, he said.
Vaccination drive
Following this, a vaccination drive against KFD has been undertaken in Nallimakki, Marabeedu, Nandodi, Bannumane, Yademane, Vatemakki, Mundavalli, Kasaguppe, Bidarur, Jaddinamane villages that fall in the radius of five km from Aralagodu. In the past week, as many as 1,800 persons have been vaccinated in these villages.
In addition to this, the vaccination has been administered in December to as many as 17,000 persons in Tirthahalli taluk, 6,000 persons in Sorab taluk, and 2,500 persons in Hosanagar taluk, where the disease was reported in 2017.
Monkey deaths
Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has requested the Department of Forest and Wildlife to bring to its notice any cases of unnatural death of monkeys in the forest. In the past ten days, as many as 11 monkeys have died in the forest near Avinahalli village in Sagar taluk; three monkeys died in the forest near Kattehakkalu in Tirthahalli taluk.
The blood samples and viscera of the dead monkeys have been sent for tests. If they test positive for KFD, the vaccination drive will be launched in the villages in the vicinity to prevent the outbreak of the disease.
What is KFD?
KFD is a tick-borne viral infection that spreads from monkeys to humans through tick bite. High fever, ache in joints and bleeding in gums are some of the symptoms of the disease. In 2017, four died due to KFD in the district and 48 positive cases were reported during this period. In many cases, persons who venture in to forests to collect firewood or graze their cattle contract the disease through tick bite.
