Karnataka - Shimoga   

Fears of monkey fever outbreak

Shimoga: A mysterious disease, similar to that of Kyasanur Forest Disease, also known as monkey fever, has been reported from Tirthahalli and Sagar taluks.

Thimma Naik (74), a resident of Uruvatti village of Tirthahalli taluk, has died of high fever and body ache last week. His neighbour Ganapa Shetty is suffering from similar symptoms and is being treated at a private hospital. It is said that three more persons were suffering from a similar disease in the vicinity. Two more deaths from Konandur and Malalamakki villages respectively were reported in the past one month.

Interestingly, most of the victims had been to forest to fetch firewood. On their return, they had complained of fever and body ache. The mysterious disease had triggered panic among the people of Malnad.

The Department of Health and Family Welfare has undertaken a campaign to create awareness among the people on the mysterious disease. Medicines are stored in ample quantity at primary health centres of Tirthahalli and Sagar taluks to treat patients.

Kyasanur Forest Disease is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever. It is transmitted to people from infected monkeys through tick bite.

Sources in the Department of Health and Family Welfare had said that the outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease was yet to be confirmed. As patients who died of viral fever in the region also had symptoms of rat fever, the sources in the department said that it would be too early to come to any conclusion.

Taking preventive steps such as applying repulsive oil on the body prior to entering the forest, is said to be the best means to combat KFD or other tick-borne infection at present.

District Health and Family Welfare Officer Channabasappa has said that campaigning was being taken up to enlighten the people on the precautionary steps.

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