PONDA
Dr Utkarsh Bethodkar, an epidermiologist with Goa Health Service, confirmed that the woman was affected with KFD, but added that she recovered after medication.
It may be recalled that since the last 30 days, seven cases of monkey deaths were reported in Savoiverem area, which included six deaths in March. This week, a seventh monkey died and the incident was reported to the Animal Husbandry office at Ponda.
“The woman is well now. We have already started a vaccination drive in the area and it has been administered to about 195 people, while all measures have been taken,” Dr Bethodkar said. When contacted, Dr Mohan Umarye, veterinary officer of Animal Husbandry division from Ponda, said they had inspected the area at Savoiverem, where a monkey was found dead this week.
“The carcass had decayed and it was not fit to take samples for analysis. We normally take samples of liver and lung tissues, spleen, kidney and blood from the heart. We couldn’t get it from this particular monkey as it had decayed. If a fresh death case is reported, we will go again and take samples,” Dr Umarye said.
According to Dr Umarye, the ticks found on the body of animal are the main cause of KFD. “It is not an air-borne disease. It spreads due to a tick bite. Hence, those who handle cattle and dogs need to take precautions,” he said.
