Karnataka: 31 cases of monkey fever reported in Uttara Kannada district

Health officials said on Friday that 31 cases of monkey fever were reported in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka state in the past 15 days. Among the infected, 12 were hospitalized and the rest were treated at home.

The situation is currently stable and no serious cases have been reported, they said. Most of the cases were reported from Siddapur taluk.

Officials said the first case of Kissanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, was reported on January 16. According to officials, monkey fever is spread due to bites of ticks that usually live on monkeys. This tick bites humans, causing infection. Humans also contract the disease through contact with cattle bitten by ticks.

Authorities are conducting a door-to-door awareness campaign on the preventive measures that should be taken. People living in and around forested areas need to be more careful as they are at high risk of contracting the disease, they said.

“Once you contract monkey fever, you will develop symptoms over the next three to five days, which may be high fever, severe body aches, headache, red eyes, cold and cough,” said North Kannada district health officer Dr Neeraj B. . “As of Friday, there have been 31 cases of monkey fever in the district. Twelve people have been admitted to hospital. Currently, their condition is stable and no serious cases have been detected. All precautionary measures are being taken. Our medical staff and field staff are Multiple meetings were held at Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat levels. All our taluk hospitals and district hospitals are equipped with staff and facilities to handle such cases,” he told PTI.

Forest officials are also said to be involved in creating awareness among people about the precautionary measures they should take.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)