Six more persons from various villages in Sattari taluka tested positive for Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) or Monkey Fever, taking the figure to 11 (positive patients) since November 2016.
the goan I network
VALPOI
Sources at Community Health Centre (CHC) Valpoi confirmed the report and said all the patients suffering from KFD have been treated and are out of danger and have been discharged from the hospital.
The 11 positive patients are from the affected villages including Velguem, Hivre, Koparde, Khadki and Guleli.
Transmission of this disease to humans may occur after an infected tick bite or contact with an infected animal, most importantly a sick or recently dead monkey. There is no person-to-person transmission.
Monkeys are the primary carrier of the disease. Ticks (Hemaphysalis Spinigera) that live on them, harbour the pathogen and pass it among the monkey population. Monkeys are sure to die once infected.
When infected monkeys die, ticks drop from the bodies to the ground, thereby generating hot spots of infectious ticks that further spread the virus. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick or when humans come in contact with an infected animal. The outbreak of the disease in humans generally occurs in the dry months, from November to May.
Once the human is infected by the virus, it takes three to eight days for symptoms to appear. Patients may experience abnormally low blood pressure, and low platelet, red blood cell and white blood cell count, chills, fever and headache. Severe muscle pain with vomiting and diarrhea.
