Two Monkey fever cases at Wayanad in Kerala

Two cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease, commonly known as Monkey fever, have been reported from Kerala-Karnataka border district Wayanad. The Health Authorities and district administration have stepped up preventive measures in the forest areas.

Recently Monkey fever outbreak was reported from Shivamogga in Karnataka, about 300 kilometres from Wayanad. The Wayanad district administration is in touch with their Shivamogga counterparts on the disease control protocol. Drive to give preventive vaccines have been initiated in the disease-prone areas of the district as well as neighbouring districts.

Kerala Director of Health Services Dr. Saritha S L told DH that so far confirmed Monkey fever case was reported only from Wayanad.

Health authorities said that the disease spread mainly through monkeys and hence all districts having forests need to be cautious. As many as 11 persons died following monkey fever in the hilly Wayanad district in 2015 and over 100 persons were infected by the disease.

According to officials a the Wayanad district collectorate, the two cases were reported from Thirunelli tribal hamlet of Wayanad. A 35-year old man and a 27-year old man were infected with the disease. They were shifted to the Kozhikode Government Medical College hospital and their situation was stated to be stable. The two were working at a farm in Bairakuppa in Kerala-Karnataka border.

The health authorities have alerted the public to take treatment in case of any symptoms like fever, headache and vomiting.