Mysuru: Following reports of the spread of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), commonly called monkey disease, in Manandavadi town in Kerala, a high health alert has been sounded at H.D. Kote that borders Kerala. The District Health Department has started vaccination process especially in the tribal hamlets. Vaccination process has also begun at many tribal settlements in Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

The deadly disease has claimed more than five lives in Shivamogga district. The death of 45-year-old Chandra and 34-year-old Bhaskar, both tribals in H.D. Kote had triggered rumours of the monkey disease spreading. However, the district health officials have dismissed such reports. Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, District Health Officer Dr. B. Basavaraju said that both Bhaskar and                                                         Chandra were addicted to alcohol and had died due to the consumption of spurious liquor and kidney failure.

Meanwhile, Suresh and Sureshaiah, two tribals from Manandawadi in Kerala had married two women from Thimmana Hosahalli tribal settlement. Both Suresh and Sureshaiah had symptoms of monkey disease and they had stayed briefly in Thimmana Hosahalli triggering fears of an outbreak among the residents. This prompted Manandawadi Health Officer Dr. Suman to visit H.D. Kote to see if the disease had spread there.

DHO Dr. Basavaraju too visited H.D. Kote and surveyed the area and found no symptoms and there was no monkey death reported from H.D. Kote Taluk. Along with Dr. Basavaraju, a Surveillance Officer, Animal Husbandry Department officials and Forest Department officers visited the taluk. “While Suresh has been discharged from Kozhikode hospital and is under severe medication, Sureshaiah is being treated at a hospital in Manandawadi. There is no incidence of the disease in H.D. Kote and there is no need to panic,” he said.

A team of entomologists have been stationed in H.D. Kote and an ambulance has been kept on waiting at D.B. Kuppe to ensure timely treatment for suspected victims of the disease. “We have also directed hospitals across the taluk and medical institutions in Manandavadi to collect blood samples of those complaining of known symptoms of the disease such as fever and exhaustion,” Basavaraju added.

Health officials had already carried out a vaccination drive in most of the villages in the taluk and a booster dose would be administered soon. All hospitals had been given strict instructions on the procedure to be followed in the event of people complaining of fever.

To pre-empt the spread of the disease, Forest officials have begun vaccinating the tribals living along the border of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.