Viscera of eight dead monkeys from different parts of Udupi district sent to the Viral Diagnostic Lab in Shivamogga tested positive for Kyasanur Forest Disease virus. But there are no suspected or positive cases among human beings in the district.
District Nodal Officer for Kyasanur Forest Disease Prashant Bhat told The Hindu on Wednesday that viscera of 17 dead monkeys had been sent to the Viral Diagnostic Lab. Of these, viscera of eight dead monkeys tested positive for the virus. These were from areas such as Siddapura, Shiroor, Kandlur, Belve, Brahmavar, Heroor and Hirgana.
Fever Survey
A Fever Survey has been going on in these and other areas since January 8. The Health Department staff is visiting houses from where fever is reported. “If any person or persons had symptoms, tick bite history and were visiting forests, they would be considered as suspected cases and their blood would be tested. If they tested positive, treatment would be started immediately,” he said.
Dr. Bhat said that since Kyasanur Forest Disease is viral disease, in most of the cases, the fever would come down in a week. In the remaining 5 % of cases, there were chances of some complications, and they would require more treatment.
As regards preventive measures, he said, people should wear full clothing and shoes while going to forests and also apply DMP oil to prevent against tick bites.
Vaccination
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Rohini told The Hindu that the Health Department had asked the forest and other departments concerned about the amount of vaccines they required for Kyasanur Forest Disease.
Once they submitted their reports, vaccines would be procured and after that a vaccination programme would be taken up, she said.
Meanwhile, four more monkeys died in different parts of the district. This brings the total number of monkey deaths in the district to 30 since January 8.
