Health dept confirms 11 KFD cases in Shivamogga district

SHIVAMOGGA: The Health Department has confirmed 11 cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), or monkey fever, in the district. These include three cases in Thirthahalli taluk and eight cases in Hosanagar taluk.

In its latest bulletin, the Health Department said blood samples were taken from 19 people in a span of 24 hours from Shivamogga district and Sirsi taluk. Of these, 11 samples from Shivamogga district tested positive for KFD while there were no positive cases from Sirsi taluk.

Usually, KFD cases are seen after January in the Malnad region. If there is rain, the cases are less and there is usually a surge in cases every five years. In 2019, KFD had created a scare in Aralagodu in Sagar taluk and a spurt has been witnessed once again now.