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ON THE RISE
2015: 30 cases; 4 deaths
2016 (January): 59; 02
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VALPOI: The Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) has fatally struck again, claiming the life of a 78-year-old woman on Sunday. Rising alarmingly in January, the virus-related cases shot up by nearly twice the number reported in 2015.
According to sources from CHC Valpoi, Jhanki Gaonkar of Mauxi-Sattari was suffering from KFD, also known as Monkey Fever. She died on Sunday.
This is the second fatality linked to KFD this year, after a 60-year-old woman, also from Mauxi, had died a few days ago. In 2015, four deaths linked to KFD were reported at Pali in Thane-Sattari.
Sources have informed that a total of 59 cases of KFD have been reported in Sattari taluka since January, with the affected areas being Mauxi, Zarme, Pali. Dhave, Karmali-Budruk, Charvane and Karanzol. In 2015, 30 cases were linked to KFD.
A few days ago, dead monkeys were found in all the affected villages and forest officials later disposed off the carcasses to avoid the further spread of KFD in the region.
Meanwhile, concerns regarding the Monkey fever issue were raised in the Nagargao Gram Sabha, with residents demanding the immediate supply of vaccinations to tackle KFD in the affected areas.
During the Gram Sabha, concerned residents demanded that the government should immediately make available KFD vaccinations at the Community Health Centre (CHC) Valpoi for the benefit of all villagers in affected areas.
Residents also demanded that the government take serious note of the situation to avoid further panic in other areas and felt that special protective clothing should be provided to forest officials and health officials while handling KFD cases as a protective measure.
Sarpanch Gopika Gaonkar, deputy sarpanch Rama Kharwat and all panchas present for the Gram Sabha assured the residents that they will request the government to act immediately to provide vaccinations as soon as possible.
While Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza had stated that vaccinations would be made available by January end, the state epidemiologist has admitted that KFD vaccinations could be expected only by mid-February.
On January 25, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza had stated that vaccinations would be made available in next two days, during his visit to the CHC Valpoi to interact with patients the CHC Valpoi officials regarding the KFD cases.
During his visit to Mauxi, one of the most affected areas, D'Souza had appealed to the villagers to take necessary precaution while visiting forests. He asked them to report immediately to the CHC in case they get similar symptoms of KFD including fever, vomiting and loose motions.
When contacted, state epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar told The Goan that the vaccines have not been procured from the manufacturers as yet.
“This is because the vaccinations are still undergoing quality control checks and they are expected to reach the state by mid-February. Once we get them, they will be immediately dispatched to the affected areas,” said Dr Betodkar.
