No monkey fever cases in DK, precautionary measures taken: Dakshina Kannada DHO

Team Udayavani, Mar 1, 2024, 10:26 AM IST

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Mangaluru: With the neighboring districts of Udupi and Chikkamagaluru witnessing an escalation in cases of Monkey Fever (KFD), precautionary measures have been initiated in Dakshina Kannada district. The District Health Officer, Dr. H R Thimmaiah, affirmed that as of now, no cases of KFD have been reported in the district.

Addressing a press conference, Dr. Thimmaiah emphasized the proactive approach, stating, “In the event of suspicious symptoms, particularly fever, individuals will undergo blood tests for further investigation. There’s a heightened concern among those venturing into forested areas due to the potential risk of contracting the disease.” He noted a singular incident of a monkey’s death in the district due to poisoning and not due to KFD.

Talking about the registration for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Dr. Thimmaiah disclosed that while the district aims to register 17 lakh cards, only about 5 lakh cards have been enlisted thus far. Notably, self-registration facilities have been extended to the public. Registration can be done through mobile phones, he said.

Efforts are also underway to register all hostels in the district. About 353 have already registered, and plans in motion for the registration of PG accommodations, he added.

Rise in measles cases:

In parallel, concerns have surfaced regarding Measles (Keppatraya) cases among children as well as the elderly population. The health department has decided to issue a circular asking primary health centers, communities, and city health centers to report detected cases. Private hospitals have also been urged to promptly report such cases.

District surveyors are actively engaged in monitoring, and local primary health center health officers are advised to be vigilant. Additionally, creating awareness among school children about the disease is prioritized. Children who have contracted Measles have been advised to refrain from attending school until fully recovered.