A 65-year-old woman died of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), known as monkey fever, on Thursday in Karnataka’s Uttar Kannada district. This is the first monkey fever death in the district and health authorities are concerned about the development as the effective vaccination is not available yet. The woman, hailing from Jiddi village near Siddapur town, turned critical on Wednesday.
State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had recently held a high-level meeting with legislators and officers of three districts of the state where the outbreak of the disease has created a concerning situation. The state, which has 103 active monkey fever cases, had recorded two deaths so far, one each in Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts.
The state government has held talks with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for effective vaccination and authorities are hopeful of getting the vaccination sooner. An awareness programme is also undertaken in the regions where the disease is detected. Monkey fever is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic disease, which can be fatal to humans and other primates.
The symptoms of KFD begin suddenly with chills, fever, and headache. Severe muscle pain with vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms, and bleeding problems may occur three-four days after initial symptom onset. Health authorities are working to contain the spread of the disease and provide necessary medical care to those affected.
The unfortunate death of the woman has raised concerns about the need for effective vaccination and further measures to prevent the spread of monkey fever. The state government’s efforts to collaborate with ICMR indicate a proactive approach to addressing the situation and finding a solution. Health officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms related to KFD.
The situation in the affected districts remains a top priority for health authorities and the state government, as they work towards finding a solution to combat the spread of monkey fever. Efforts are being made to raise awareness and provide necessary support to the affected communities in order to prevent further casualties and contain the outbreak of the disease.
The death of the woman in Uttar Kannada district serves as a stark reminder of the urgency to address the threat of monkey fever and the need for effective vaccination to protect the public from this potentially fatal disease. The state government’s collaboration with ICMR and the ongoing awareness programme indicate a proactive approach to addressing the situation and finding a solution to prevent further deaths from KFD.
