Panic among locals in Bhatkal about KFD after death of a monkey in suspicious conditions

Bhatkal 3 February 2019: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Death of a monkey at Bailur of Bhatkal Taluka in suspicious conditions on Saturday has led to speculations and panic among locals about the possibility of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) which has been reported to be found in the monkeys in neighboring districts, resulting many human deaths. According to the witness of the monkey's death (Ganesh), noticed a monkey coughing on the tree and moments later it fainted from there and died falling from the height. Ganesh immediately informed Bailur Panchayat officials regarding the whole incident, after which Panchayat officials, forest officials and Doctor Murthi Bhat and Veterinary doctor Suryakanth along with his staff rushed to the spot and conducted an inquest. “It doesn’t seems like KFD disease at first instance externally, but various samples of the monkey has been collected and sent to Shivamogga laboratory for testing. We have to wait until the further reports come to comment on the issue” said the veterinary doctor. After collecting the samples, the monkey was later burried on an abandoned land near the National Highway. (Bhatkallys News Bureau)