Shivamogga: Monkey fever, which has claimed eight lives in Aralagodu gram panchayat since last November, has created such panic among the people in the region that some are beginning to believe the virus responsible for the disease is being used against them as a biological weapon.
As health and forest officials struggle to combat the spread of the disease, patients who were discharged from hospital after being treated for it, are again starting to show symptoms of the fever, leading to anxiety and fear among the people.
A member of the gram panchayat, Chandranath points out that several monkeys like the Macaca Radiata and Hanuman Langurs , which are carriers of the Hemyphysalis ticks, responsible for the spread of the fever, have also been found dead in the region.
Explaining the panic among the people, he recalls that some years ago during the anthrax scare, many had suspected that the virus responsible for the disease was being used them as a biological weapon.
But questioning the rationale of the Aralagodu people, a medical officer says it doesn't make sense. “Why would someone use a biological weapon to kill only about eight people in Aralagoodu? If anyone wanted to use a biological weapon, they would target bigger cities,” he reasons.
Fanning the people's fears, of the 112 monkeys that have died so far in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga, 20 have been found to be carriers of the deadly virus causing the fever.
And of the 250 people, who have been tested, 97 have tested positive for the disease.
