Team Herald
VALPOI: With an extensive vaccination drive by the health department in Sattari, Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) that wreaked havoc in the taluka two years ago is on the decline.
Dr Gajanan Naik, the health officer at Valpoi Community Health Centre, said that 90 persons were tested positive for KFD in the first two months of 2016. But this year, during the same period, that figure is down to 38, he pointed out.
In the last two years, KFD has taken the lives of four people in Sattari. To save lives and prevent the spread of the disease, the health authorities are extensively working to immunize people. The data released by the Valpoi CHC revealed that a total 335 persons were tested positive for KFD in Sattari, so far.
Dr Naik informed that the health department has carried out 40 rounds of vaccination drives in Sattari villages, so far. Besides, the health center is regularly vaccinating people visiting facility, where 8,606 persons have been vaccinated, so far.In the year 2015, 30 persons were tested positive for KFD with one death; in 2016, it was 267 with three deaths; this year 38 persons have been tested positive so far, with no deaths.CHC is carrying out regular vaccinations at Valpoi centre on Tuesdays and Fridays.“Next week we will be conducting the vaccination drives in the villages to reach out to larger population,” Dr Naik said.
He claims the number of KFD infected patients have come down due to the extensive vaccination which is supported by the Directorate of Health Services.
