VALPOI/PANJIM: A woman from Ghoteli-Keri succumbed to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim on Monday.

It may be recalled that the deceased Anupama Gawas alias Gulabi, was tested positive for monkey fever and was admitted to Sankhali Primary Health Centre where she was treated for five days and as her condition deteriorated she was referred to the GMC where she breathed her last on Monday at around 7 am.

Anupama, a widow, was residing in Virdi. As per official records, with her death, the death toll due to KFD disease has risen to five in Sattari taluka.

Till date, 80 people have been tested positive for KFD in Sattari with Anupama being the first victim from Keri.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has called for a review meeting with the officials of the department and has asked the medical officers in the KFD-prone areas to intensify the awareness and vaccination drive.

He said “We are taking a review on Wednesday and ensure that the vaccination is reaching to more and more people and try and create awareness.”

Responding to a query on ensuring that the villagers take the vaccines, he said, “The problem is you can only make people aware, you cannot force people to take the vaccines. We are looking at how to involve the panchayats and self-help groups in the villages to orient them.”

Of the 422 samples tested since January, 75 tested positive for KFD and are undergoing treatment.

In 2016, the department had tested 1942 people and 286 had tested positive and three deaths were reported in the Sattari taluka. However, this year KFD cases have been reported in the villages of Pernem taluka too.

The health department had begun a vaccination drive immediately after dead monkeys were spotted and fears of KFD spread.