In all, 21 cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, have been reported in the district this year.
It may be mentioned here that there was an outbreak of KFD in Tirthahalli taluk in last week of January.
District Health Officer Rajesh Suragihalli told presspersons that of the 74 blood samples sent to the Viral Diagnostic Laboratory, Shimoga, for medical investigation, 21 were found to be positive.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare has taken initiatives to tackle the problem.
At present. the disease is confined to Kannangi, Konandur, Malur and Mandagadde gram panchayat in Tirthahalli taluk. The necessary stock of medicines to treat KFD has been maintained at primary health centres in these places.
A separate ward to treat those infected with KFD has been set up at Jaya Chamarajendra (JC) taluk hospital in Tirthahalli. An ambulance vehicle was stationed at the PHC in Kannangi to shift patients with serious health problems to JC hospital.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar visited KFD ward in JC hospital on Sunday.
He directed the Taluk Health Officer Prakash K.S. to create awareness among the people on the precautions that should be taken to stave off the disease. Zilla panchayat member T.L. Sundaresh was present on the occasion.
