Mysore, Dec. 5
A mass immunisation drive against monkey fever will be conducted by the Chamarajanagar health officials for the Forest Department personnel of Bandipur and the villagers in Maddur Colony in Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) tomorrow, said BTR Director Kumar Pushkar.
Speaking to a newspaper yesterday, Pushkar, who has confirmed the monkey fever in Maddur forest range, said that there was no need to panic and the situation was under control. Blood samples of primates, suspected to have died of monkey fever, were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
Monkey fever, also known as Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), claimed the lives of eight Bonnet Macaques and two Langurs during last week. No more deaths of primates have been reported after that, Pushkar said and added that forest watchers working at Alegowdanakatte anti-poaching camp are in good health and there was nothing to be anxious about.
Five personnel of the camp had taken ill a few days ago with suspected monkey fever and were admitted to Gundlupet hospital for treatment.
Pushkar said vaccinations will be administered only for those aged between 6 and 65 years. Pregnant women and lactating mothers will not be vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Dr. R. Srinivas from Gundlupet and his team of medicos conducted a health check up for Maddur colony residents and found them to be free from any infection.
The vaccinations will be provided by Virus Diagnostic Laboratory (Shimoga). An expert team from Kyasanur forest of Shimoga (where KFD was first reported in 1957) will arrive in Chamarajanagar to assist the team.
Doctors have asked the forest authorities to take precautions before entering the forest like applying tick-repellent oil, which will be provided by the Department of Animal Husbandry at the veterinary hospitals. This will prevent the ticks, the carriers of KFD, from biting them. They have also been asked to bathe after returning from the forests.
Common symptoms of KFD are bleeding in nose and mouth, fluctuation in blood pressure and repeated fever.
source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / December 05th, 2012
