Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Feb 26: The first case of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in Udupi district has been reported from Vandse village in Kundapur taluk.

A 58-year-old woman has been diagnosed with the disease and is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Udupi. The risk of the disease is increasing in the forest-side villages of the Malnad-Udupi districts, necessitating proper precautions by health officials.

Udupi district shares borders with the Malnad region, significantly increasing the risk factor. There is a notable presence of monkeys in the Hebri, Kundapur, and Karkala taluk regions.

In 2019, two individuals from Byndoor and Siddapur were identified with KFD. However, no fresh cases have been reported in the past four years.

"The health department has conducted a comprehensive inspection to investigate any incidents of monkey deaths in and around Vandse. However, no such incidents have been reported. We have been actively raising awareness among the villagers about the disease. Villagers have been instructed to refrain from entering the forest for fodder. Additionally, Depa oil bottles have been distributed among the locals for application when venturing outdoors," stated IP Gadad, district health officer of Udupi.