Siddapur: “Departments concerned must make efforts to shun the misconceptions people have about Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) or monkey fever,” Deputy Commissioner Harishkumar said.

Presiding over the district-level meeting organised to discuss about the extent of KFD in Uttara Kannada district, in Siddapur on Saturday, the DC said that while informing people about the disease, creating awareness and reinstating confidence in people was one thing, people staying with the person suffering KFD must be made aware of their role. Officers must ensure that the disease offers no threat to life.

“Service and support of all the government departments must be sought and task force should be formed to tackle such a disease. The task force must not concentrate on individuals only but must work constantly to keep the disease at bay,” he suggested.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Roshan said that blood samples of 434 people in the district had been sent to the laboratory for testing of KFD. Of them, 32 cases were confirmed. District-level officers of various departments were present.