Monkey fever grips Goa's Sattari taluka, 35 people infected
What's the story
At least 35 people in Goa have tested positive this year for the Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), or the 'monkey fever', a health official said. The fever had claimed three lives in the coastal state's remote Sattari taluka of North Goa district in 2016, and one in 2015. The affected 35 people are also from the Sattari taluka and have been provided treatment.
The viral infection
No death has been reported so far this year
An official at the Valpoi community health centre said, "No death has been reported from KFD so far this year." "Most of the positive cases have been found in the Sanvorderm panchayat area of Sattari taluka. The health department has intensified its vaccination drive and distributed tick repellent oils in the villages there," he said.
The disease
What is the KFD infection?
KFD is a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to South Asia. The virus is transmitted to human beings through parasitic ticks which latch on to monkeys. The disease was first detected in 1957 at the Kyasanur forest in Karnataka's Shimoga district and was later named after the place. It first starts with high fever and body ache and can result in hemorrhage.
Details
Last year, 88 patients tested positive for the infection
People suffering from kidney, heart and liver-related issues are more vulnerable to KFD infection. Between February- April 2015, several people were diagnosed with the disease at Palli village in Sattari taluka. "In 2015, 30 villagers were found positive for KFD and one person was declared dead," the official said. Last year, 88 patients tested positive for the infection but no death was reported.