An eight-year-old tribal boy who was suffering from mysterious fever for a few days died on Thursday.
Vipin, son of Geetha of Nellipetta Paniya tribal hamlet on the fringes of the Chethalayam forest under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, was suffering from fever and had undergone treatment at the Taluk Hospital, Sulthan Bathery, in the district.
Though the boy was referred to the Mananthavady District Hospital on January 22, his parent brought the child to his hamlet. His condition worsened on Wednesday night and he died around 3 a.m., Health Department sources said.
“The reason for the death is yet to be ascertained but prima facie it is suspected that the child was suffering from Lyme disease or Scrub typhus, two diseases transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks,” R. Renuka, District Medical Officer, told The Hindu .
A team of experts, including the State epidemiologist, visited the site on the day and details would be available later, Dr. Renuka said.
Meet review KFD
Meanwhile, a review meeting on Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) (monkey fever), chaired by District Collector A.R. Ajayakumar, decided to conduct a field survey on the disease in the wake of two confirmed cases in the district. The first phase of the survey would be conducted in those areas where an outbreak of the disease had been reported earlier, including Noolpuzha, Mullankolly, and Tirunelly grama panchayats. “There is no need for panic as all steps have been adopted to tackle the disease,” Mr. Ajayakumar said after the meeting.
The Health Department is ready to meet any situation and has ensured adequate stock of vaccine for the purpose, Dr. Renuka said. All facilities have been made available at the District Hospital, she added.
The meet also decided to open a 24-hour control room at the collectorate, which can be contacted at 1077 and 04936 204151.
