A case of monkey fever commonly known as Kyasanur Forest Disease (KSD) has been reported and confirmed in Wayanad, Kerala. The government said, “Can’t decide yet if vaccination would be the best option at this stage.”
Man in hospital
Rajeev Sadanandan, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) of Kerala said, “The district is on alert and has been on alert since reports of KFD outbreak was reported in Karnataka.”
A 36-year old man from Athattukunnu colony near Aranappara, was admitted to the Manathavady District Hospital and got diagnosed with monkey fever. Currenlty, he is out danger.
A 27-year-old man from Thonikkadavu colony in Bavali was showing symptoms of monkey fever. He was soon admitted to the Government Medical College, Kozhikode.
rajeev added, “When the fever was reported in Karnataka, we began surveying forest areas on the border as monkeys usually cross over to neighbouring states. We haven’t decided if vaccination is what we will be going for as its efficacy has not been proven yet, although Karnataka has opted for this method to curtail the outbreak.”
He included, “they will attempt to detect the disease early and treat it.”
“We have amped up surveillance, we will alert and educate minor forest produce collectors and other residents in the area who go into the forest on the outbreak. And we will attempt early detection and treatment of infection,” he said.
According to Hindu, both men, whose villages are approximately 15 km apart are suspected to have contracted the disease from Karnataka. Several cases have been confirmed in Karnataka and sample of 36-year-old man is collected and sent to the Manipal Centre for Virus Research, where KFD was confirmed.
Monkey fever is a type of viral disease usually transmitted to humans via a particular kind of tick found on monkeys. If a person comes in contact with a sick, recently infected, or even dead infected monkey, they run the risk of contracting the infection.
In Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, a KFD outbreak was reported, and at least 20 people contracted the disease recently.
