An aged woman from Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district died of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, bringing the death toll to four in the state. The 60-year-old victim was diagnosed with the disease 20 days ago and succumbed to it on Sunday night at Meggan Hospital in Shivamogga.
In Siddapur taluk alone, the number of monkey fever cases has risen to 43, with a total of 103 active cases in the state. State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has addressed the concern by holding a high-level meeting with legislators and officers from the affected districts.
The state government is in talks with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to secure an effective vaccination for the disease. An awareness programme is also being conducted in the regions where cases have been detected to educate the public about the symptoms and prevention of monkey fever.
Monkey fever is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic disease that can be fatal to humans and other primates. Symptoms include chills, fever, headache, severe muscle pain, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues, and bleeding problems. Authorities are working to combat the outbreak and provide necessary healthcare to those affected by the disease.
