Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 24: "The 'West Nile' fever (Bird fever) that is said to have surfaced in the state of Kerala is not reported anywhere in the district of Dakshina Kannada. There is no need to panic," said Dr Ramakrishna Rao, District Health and family welfare Officer (DHO).

Dr Rao also said that the health department has given instructions to take precautionary measures in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Chamarajnagar and Mysuru, which have their border with Kerala, to prevent the spread of the disease and suitable action is already taken.

West Nile fever is mainly seen in crows and other smaller birds. This spreads from bird to bird or to human beings through mosquito bite or due to the pecking of the affected bird. This fever that was first seen in Uganda in 1937 had killed many people.

On March 18, a seven-year-old boy died in Malappuram of Kerala and it is suspected that he had West Nile fever. A team of central health department is conducting an investigation on this issue.