4 monkeys found dead in Shivamogga district

Four monkeys were found dead in different parts of the district on Wednesday, triggering fear among the people.

Of the four monkeys, two were found dead on the premises of the famed Sridhara Ashram at Varadahalli in Sagar taluk. The body of one monkey was in a decomposed state, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department officials said. A post-mortem was conducted on another monkey.

The other two monkeys were found dead in other parts of the district, the officials said. Meanwhile, District Health Officer BC Venkatesh said that he is ready to face the enquiry and he is confident that he will come out clean. He was suspended on the charge of dereliction of duty in connection with Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) outbreak in the district on Tuesday.

Dr Venkatesh said he will abide by the suspension order of the commissioner. He also made it clear that he will not approach Karnataka Administrative Tribunal challenging the order.

He said he will face the departmental inquiry without fail. The department is also under pressure following the rise in KFD deaths in the district. So, it has taken a decision on the ground that adequate precautionary measures have not been taken to control the spread of the disease, he added.