Bengaluru: With Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) outbreak in several places across the state, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has now issued a circular to all the District Health Officers (DHOs) to be on high alert.
According to the health department data, around nine people have died and more than 100 positive cases have been reported due to KFD or monkey fever since December 2018. In addition, many monkeys have died of the disease. The circular read, "Gram Sabhas should be organised in affected areas to spread awareness about KFD by the field officers of five departments and preventive measures should be intensified."
Dr S. Sajjan Shetty, Joint Director, communicable disease, Department of Health and Family Welfare told Deccan Chronicle, “We are working on it intensely. In fact, I was on the field last two days interacting with district health officers (DHOs) and survey officers enquiring about the action plan. It had started in December and we had around 106 positive cases. Many of the cases are found in Sagara and Thirthahalli, while in Uttar Kannada, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru we found more monkey positive cases.”
“Precautionary measures are being taken and we are educating people wherever there is this virus at Gram Panchayat level to avoid leaving their cattle in forests. If they have to go to forest they must ensure they apply dry oil mosquito repellant (DMP) or take bath,” said Dr Shetty.
