The outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KDF), also known as monkey fever, at Sharavathi river valley in Sagar taluk is likely to dent the tourism prospects of the region.
Following the death of monkeys in a forest near Hasirumakki in Sharavathi river backwater region owing to KFD, the Department of Forest and Wildlife has closed its nature camp at Muppane in Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary located nearby. Accommodation is available for 40 tourists in the nature camp.
Chandrashekhar, Deputy Conservator of Forests, told The Hindu that the decision was taken to prevent visitors from coming in contact with ticks that spreads the disease from monkeys to humans. On January 1, the department passed an order banning the entry of tourists to the sanctuary and trekking activities till further orders.
With the outbreak of this vector-borne disease, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has decided to issue travel advisories to pilgrims who visit the temple of goddess Chowdeshwari in Sigandur located nearby. Caution boards would be installed here advising pilgrims against venturing into the forest.
Aralagodu Gram Panchayat in Sagar taluk, the epicentre of this year’s outbreak where two persons have died owing to the disease in past one month, is located at a distance of 15 km from Jog Falls, the famous tourist destination that attracts more than 10 lakh visitors every year. Residents in villages within a 5-km radius from Aralagodu, where positive cases of KFD have been reported, are being administered vaccine against the disease. In case of flare-up of the viral infection, the entry of tourists to Jog may also be banned.
A senior health official said the situation is being closely monitored. Field staff serving of the Forest Department have been asked to bring to their notice about unnatural death of monkeys in Sharavathi valley. The blood samples and viscera of such monkeys would be sent to the laboratory immediately, he said.
