VALPOI: Healthcare services from the Valpoi region have geared up to tackle Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), commonly known as Monkey fever.
Community Health Centre, Valpoi has started its programmes and vaccination to tackle the next season of Kyasanur Forest disease, which will start from October. The first programme was carried out at sub-centre Uste, where 68 villagers were vaccinated.
Health officer Gajanan Naik said CHC, Valpoi has started the vaccination drive against KFD from Wednesday and it would also include other villages of Sattari, with emphasis to cover maximum population the district. Speaking on educating villagers on KFD, he said health staff will carry on awareness programmes on KFD in various schools in Sattari with the help of Parents Teacher Association and local clubs.
Around 90 patients tested positive for KFD by Manipal Centre of Virus Research Manipal University from November 2016 to May 2017 and no mortality was recorded in last season.
KFD, a tick-borne viral infection, was first reported in the Kyasanur forest region in the border of Shimoga and Uttara Kannada districts in 1957. The disease is transmitted to people from infected monkeys through tick bite.
