KFD: 11 suspected cases in DK turn negative

District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna Rao said that test reports of 11 susptected cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease among humans, reported during the last few weeks, had turned negative.

Speaking to mediapersons, he said the samples were tested at the Manipal Centre for Virus Research and Viral Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) in Shivamogga.

“The public need not panic,” he said and appealed to the residents living on the fringes of forest to inform the forest department and health officials if they come across carcass of a dead monkey.

The DHO said that a team led by entomologist had collected eight tick pools from Kuntadi, Kannaje, Athaje, and Haleneranki. “The report of five tick pools have come negative and the results of 3 tick pools are awaited.”

Rao said that Dakshina Kannada district had witnessed 22 isolated cases of deaths of monkeys in the last one month.

The viscera of five monkeys found dead at Haleneranki in Koila, Kunkya in Kaniyuru, Addahole, Naravi and Charmadi have been sent to VDL in Shivamogga and Pune, the officer said.

“Four have been tested negative for the KFD and the result of one monkey, found dead at Naravi, is awaited.”