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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West Bengal: EC orders suspension of joint BDO ahead of polls
Kolkata (PTI): The Election Commission on Friday ordered the immediate suspension of a joint block development officer (BDO) in poll-bound West Bengal and directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against her.
The poll body, however, did not mention the grounds for the action.
In a letter to the chief secretary of West Bengal, the poll panel said the action against Jyotsna Khatun, the joint BDO of Purba Bardhaman district's Khandaghosh, is based on a recommendation from the chief electoral officer of the state.
"The commission has agreed to the proposal and directs that Jyotsna Khatun be suspended and disciplinary action be initiated against her immediately," the EC stated in its letter to the West Bengal chief secretary.
Khatun had been notified as the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for the 259-Khandaghosh Assembly Constituency.
The poll panel has asked authorities to implement the order "with immediate effect" and submit a compliance report by 11 am of Saturday.
The letter also instructed the authorities to urgently propose a replacement for the vacant post.
