Alert sounded in Wayanad as one dies of monkey fever

The health authorities stepped up alert at Wayanad district in North Kerala as one person died of Kyasanur Forest Disease, popularly known as monkey fever. Four more persons were infected by the disease and are under treatment.

Wayanad district medical officer R Renuka said that most cases are reported from Bavali – Thirunelli areas close to Karnataka borders. Though the vaccination drive was initiated among the people going to the forests, many were unwilling to take the 3-dose vaccinations. People going into the forest were put on high alert. They were directed to immediately report spotting of dead monkeys.

Earlier two persons working at a farm in Bairakuppa in Kerala-Karnataka border were affected by the disease. They died while undergoing treatment in Kerala. Recently there was an outbreak of monkey fever at Shimoga in Karnataka. Though it is about 300 kilometres from Wayanad, health authorities in Kerala suspect that the disease could have spread through monkeys in the forest areas.