Sagar taluk is reeling under a fresh outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, as three persons hailing from here have died because of this tick-borne viral infection in just three days.
On Sunday, Seethamma Poojary, 58, a resident of Nandodi from Aralagod gram panchayat in Sagar taluk, died at a private hospital in Manipal. With this, the KFD death toll in the district since December has touched 12.
According to sources in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, six persons suffering from symptoms of KFD in Aralagod GP limits have been admitted in various private hospitals since Saturday. Two of them are said to be in serious condition.
Of the recent three victims, Poornima, who died on Saturday, and Seethamma had been administered primary as well as a booster dose of vaccine against KFD. An officer serving with the department told The Hindu on the condition of anonymity that the deaths of vaccinated persons has created apprehension about the potency of the vaccine. The issue will be brought to the notice of the authorities at the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Bengaluru, where the vaccine is produced, the officer said.
So far, more than 90,000 persons from affected areas spread over Sagar, Tirthahalli, Hosanagar, Sorab, Shikaripur and Bhadravati taluks have been administered primary and booster dose of the vaccine. The booster dose will offer around 65% immunity against the disease. The immunity level in the vaccinated person will be enhance to 83% after a third round of vaccination, usually administered nine months after the booster dose.
Following the fresh outbreak, vigilance has been stepped up in Aralagod and surrounding areas. Staff from the Forest and Health and Family Welfare departments are combing forests to find dead monkeys. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), a tick-repellent oil, is also being provided for the residents in Aralagod through Accredited Social Health Activists.