Three monkeys found dead in Kumta taluk

Taluk Medical Officer Dr Ajna Naik has said that three monkeys have been found dead at Medini and Chimmalli villages in Soppinosalli Panchayat jurisdiction in the last three days in the talluk and the villagers have been told to take precautions about Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD-Monkey fever).

Naik told DH, “Monkey fever has already been confirmed at Salkod taluk in Honnavar taluk. The Salkodu forest border is at a distance of just 3 km from Medini and Chimmalli villages. Hence, monkey fever may have entered Kumta taluk. But no such symptoms have been found in the villagers so far.”

Naik said the people have already been told not to enter the forest and also not let their cattle into the wild.

Soon, the officials of Health, Revenue, Forest and Animal Husbandry Departments will inform the people to be cautious about the disease.

Postmortem of the dead monkeys has not been conducted as their bodies have extremely decayed, Naik said.

Nine suspected cases

Meanwhile, eight KFD-suspected patients from Sagar taluk in Shivamogga district have been shifted to KMC Hospital in Manipal on Thursday.

According to a Health Department official, eight from Aralagodu Gram Panchayat limits and one from Devaramakki village near Jog have been sent to the hospital.

A monkey was found in a decomposed state at Marasa village in the taluk.