Shivamogga: Dr. Ravi Kumar, Deputy Director of the Virus Diagnostic Laboratory in Shivamogga has been suspended by the state health department officials.
In an enquiry conducted by the officials it has been revealed that dereliction of duty on the part of the doctor who was responsible for ensuring that frequent vaccination drives took place against the disease, contributed to the recent outbreak.
An official notice issued by the government stated, “The Health Department has found that due to negligence in preventing, protecting, taking preventive measures, and identifying monkey fever as a problem and making available the facilities for the same. Dr. Ravi Kumar has been suspended due to dereliction of duty. Under his supervision, the essential vaccines and the hygiene required to contain the epidemic were compromised. Dr. Shankarappa will replace him henceforth.”
Around 20 people from a village in Shivamogga’s Sagar taluk had allegedly contracted Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) or monkey fever in early January. It was reported that two people were suspected to have succumbed to the disease at the time as well.
The virus responsible for causing monkey fever is a member of the flavivirus genus. It is transmitted to humans via infected ticks and has been largely associated with the death of monkeys in the wild.
