Five cases of KFD infection reported in Shivamogga district; one in Chikkamagaluru
Shivamogga: Cases of the Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) are being reported in the district, according to the Health Department, with five residents of Billodi village, Hosanagara taluk, reportedly being infected with the virus.
As a 55-year-old woman in the village was infected last week, the Health Department conducted a health check-up of the locals and found four more cases of KFD in Billodi. Of them four patients were found to be women and one was a man. The Health Department has stated that the health condition of the five is stable.
Cases of KFD infection were normally reported in the state from the start of January every year. A two-month advance in the survey this year, however, has revealed cases where people were infected in November, which is completely unexpected.
Since vaccination for prevention of KFD infection was halted three years ago, the Health Department is keeping watch for cases of the disease, as some of the cases were reported in places that were clear of ticks and carcasses of infected monkeys.
Farmers in Malnad region are harvesting their areca crops and undertaking other agricultural activities. Incidentally, four of the five positive cases reported in Billodi village are of people who are involved in arecanut cultivation and regularly visit forests.
In addition to Shivamogga, one case of KFD infection has been reported from Chikkamagaluru, with one resident of Kammaradi village in Koppa taluk being found infected with the virus.
As this is the first case of KFD infection in Chikkamagaluru district, the Health Department has increased its survey to find more cases.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
