the goan I network
VALPOI
Bicholim Deputy Collector Pradeep Naik on Friday stated that an action plan would be set up to control Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), which has affected different parts of Sattari since the last three years.
Naik stated this at a special meeting at the Valpoi Community Health Centre in the presence of ZP member Fati Gaonkar, Valpoi health officer Dr Gajanan Naik and Sakhali health officer Dr Uttam Desai.
The deputy collector said a special meeting would also be convened after 8 days to implement this action plan.
Dr Abhijit Wadkar said KFD was first identified in 2015, after a 55-year-old woman had died of the disease.
Dr Arun Kumar, a virologist from the Manipal Virology Research Centre in Karnataka, and his team had identified the disease as KFD or Monkey fever. After the disease was identified, the health department began various steps to control KFD and 57 patients were tested positive for KFD last year.
Health officials decided to reduce this figure by initiating various measures.
The deputy collector also sought the support and assistance of people and NGOs from Sattari taluka to help control KFD.
Valpoi health officer Dr Gajanan Naik said DMP oil was found very effective in repelling ticks and it was already being distributed in various villages. He appealed to people to apply the oil before entering forest area.
He also suggested that people entering forested areas should wear light coloured clothes so that ticks could be easily identified on the cloth.
Deputy Collector Pradeep Naik adivsed people to contact the 24/7 helpline 2374090, operating from the Valpoi mamletdar’s office, if a monkey is found dead in any of the affected villages.
“The death of a Monkey is a primary observation regarding the KFD and care should be taken following the death of a monkey. Locals should alert health officials at the earliest,” said Naik.
Dr Wadkar said the health department is very serious about eradicating KFD in Sattari Taluka and other parts of Goa.
