Twelve of the 14 blood samples tested for Kyasanur Forest Disease in the district have been found positive. District Health Officer Neeta Vijayan told The Hindu that the samples had been sent to the Virology institute at Manipal in Karnataka.
Twenty-seven cases of suspected Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, have been reported in various parts of the district in a fortnight, Dr. Neeta said. The outbreak of the viral disease, transmitted to humans through a species of ticks found on monkeys, has been mainly reported from tribal hamlets in Mullankolly and Pulpally grama panchayats in Sulthan Bathery taluk. Though one case each had been reported in 2013 and 2014, this is the first time an outbreak has been reported in the district.
The Health Department has started giving free vaccination to Forest Department officials and casual labourers engaged in work inside the Kurichiyat forest range under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. As many as 160 forest staff and casual labourers were vaccinated on Thursday.
Caution in Kozhikode
The chances of monkey fever spreading to Kozhikode cannot be ruled out , District Medical Officer P.K. Mohanan has said. “There are many monkeys on the ghat roads between Kozhikode and Wayanad. Travellers should be cautious,” he said.
Published - February 06, 2015 12:00 am IST
