Karnataka - Shimoga   

Monkey fever surfaces again in Shimoga

Shimoga: A total number of 11 cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, have been reported in Shimoga in 2011 so far.

KFD is a tick-borne viral fever, the symptoms of which are high fever, headache, and bleeding. The virus is transmitted from monkey to human beings through ticks. A number of 17 suspected cases were reported in Tirthahalli taluk this year. Of the blood samples of the 17 patients that were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, 11 tested positive.

The death of monkeys was reported in the forests of Mandagadde and Konandur region in March, which was followed by the outbreak of KFD. The outbreak of KFD and other forms of viral fever in the region had disrupted the agriculture activities.

District Health Officer Dr. Channabasappa told The Hindu that of the 11 cases that were tested positive, six were from Konandur region while five were from Mandagadde region. The patients were treated and had recovered. He clarified that so far none of the patients had died from any part of the district.

About 4,000 people in the region were vaccinated against KFD as a precautionary measure. In addition to this, people who went to the forest to collect firewood and those who worked on the agriculture fields on the periphery of the forest were asked to apply dimethyl phosphate which was a repellent against the tick.

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