Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 7: So far, 163 persons, all belonging to Sagar and surrounding places in Shivamogga district, suffering from suspected monkey fever, were admitted into Kasurba Medical College Hospital for treatment. Four more came back to the hospital after being discharged, as the fever relapsed. So far, test reports have found that 62 were infected with this disease whereas 101 were not contracted with this disease. Four more test reports are awaited. 138 were discharged after treatment and two from Shivamogga district died in this hospital because of this disease.

On Wednesday, lifeless bodies of four more monkeys were found from Belman, Shirlalu, Hiliyana and Valathur villages. Among them, postmortem of two were conducted while the two other bodies were found to be decomposed.

The postmortem test report between January 19 and February 4 has shown negative results. Blood samples of a person from Hallihole in Kundapur taluk, who was suspected to be suffering from monkey fever, had been sent to the laboratory but he tested negative.

The health department, in association with KMC Hospital Manipal, has been undertaking survey of people suspected to be suffering from this fever, with help of private doctors, said district helath officer, Dr Rohini. Belve agricultural service cooperative bank has provided 300 bottles of DMP oil for the use of people who live near the forests.

A team of World Health organization including district officials and Musuru divisional joint director visited KMC Hospital to study the current status of Kyasanur Forest Disease (monkey fever) infection. The team also visited the ward where patients from Shivamogga district are being treated.

The team held meeting with the vice chancellor of Manipal University, medical superintendent and MCVR officials and discussed ways and means to provide high quality, fast-paced treatment of such patients.