Udupi: The death toll of monkeys in different parts of Udupi district has shot up to eight since the past one week. Latest, a monkey was found dead near Hirgana villages of Karkala in the district. Two days ago, carcasses of four monkeys were found in Siddapur, Hosangadi and Shiroor villages in Kundapur taluk. The increasing instances of monkey deaths have left the residents worried.
Speaking to media persons, Dr. Rohini, District Health official said that the post mortem on the monkey has been conducted and the samples have been sent to the Viral Diagnostic Centre in Shivamogga.
She said there is no need to panic as so far there have been no positive or suspected cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD).
The Health Department of the district was conducting awareness programmes in the villages where monkey deaths had been reported and other rural areas as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, in the neighbouring district of Shivamogga, the fear of KFD has been intensifying with increasing numbers of monkey deaths in the Malnad region.
Three new KFD cases were reported at Aralagodu gram panchayat limits of Sagar taluk coming under the purview of Sharavathy valley wildlife sanctuary on Thursday. They are undergoing treatment at KMC Hospital, Manipal.
Another person named Ramamma, a resident of Kanchikai village of Aralagodu village had died and the reports confirm that she died of KFD, taking the KFD death toll to five. The report of another patient Krishnappa is awaited. As per sources, 57 KFD cases were reported in Shivamogga so far and 26 dead monkeys have been found.