In the lush hills of Chikkamagaluru, famed for its coffee plantations, a renewed outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), or monkey fever, has alarmed residents. Erratic weather, with scorching days followed by chilly nights, has compounded anxieties about the disease’s spread.
The first case of the year involves a 25-year-old man from Mattikhand village in Khandya Hobli, who was diagnosed with a severe form of KFD. Suffering from high fever, he was transferred to Manipal Hospital for advanced care, underscoring the critical nature of the situation.
The health department has declared a high alert across the district, intensifying efforts to prevent the disease from escalating. Officials are conducting house-to-house awareness campaigns, advising residents to avoid forested areas and closely monitoring the collection of wool samples near affected regions.
In 2024, the district reported 132 cases of monkey fever, with four fatalities concentrated in Chikkamagaluru, Koppa, NR Pura, and Sringeri taluks. This year’s resurgence marks the most severe outbreak in seven years, raising fears of further fatalities in the Malenadu region.
Proactive measures include tracking deceased monkeys in forests, a critical step in identifying potential hotspots. However, the success of containment efforts depends heavily on community cooperation and adherence to health guidelines.
With the health department on high alert, the focus remains on heightened vigilance and collaboration to control the spread of this tick-borne disease and protect public health.
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