Karwar: Deputy Commissioner K Harishkumar has informed that blood samples of 525 people had been sent to the laboratory for testing for Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) or monkey fever this year (From January till now). Of them, 53 have been confirmed and 472 have come negative.

He said that blood samples of people of seven taluks in the district have been tested and maximum confirmed cases are from Siddapur taluk where 35 people suffered KFD. 470 samples were sent from Siddapur taluk for testing.

In Honnavar taluk, 26 samples were sent for testing and of them, 12 had KFD and in Joida taluk, four samples were sent and three of them had KFD. Ankola, Kumta and Bhatkal taluks have recorded one KFD case each. Asha and health assistants are conducting a door-to-door survey in the district in wake of Covid-19 outbreak. They have been asked to collect health details about all contagious diseases during that survey including KFD. Those suffering flu or flu-like symptoms have been asked to get tested in the nearest government hospital.