Shivamogga: Suspected KFD virus found in four; admitted to hospital
Shivamogga, Jan 13: Four more suspected Kyasanur Forest Disease afflicted patients were identified in the villages near Aralagodu in Sagar taluk in the district on Saturday. All patients were admitted to Manipal KMC hospital.
Lolakshi and Spoorthi of Mandavalli, Lakshma of Kalamanji, Sharadamma of Sampa were suffering from fever. After treating them at primary health center shifted them to Manipal. Their blood samples were sent to lab tests, health department sources said.
Vaccination accelerated
Vaccination drive in KFD afflicted villages was accelerated. The health department staff in Barangi, Talaguppa, Avinahalli, Tumari, Holebagilu, Kalamanji, Mundalli and Marabidi areas have started vaccination. Hundreds of people in the taluk were vaccinated and the KFD virus broke out in Aralagodu gram Panchayat is under control, department sources said.
Report
Department sources said that KFD virus found in the ticks sent to lab tests due to which the disease is spreading very fast. Now, virus testing lab was set up in Shivamogga and it would help to identify the virus as early as possible.
Villagers in and around Aralagodu panicked due to KFD virus. It is confirmed that two students were afflicted with the virus. Meanwhile, the number of students coming to schools in Aralagodu, Mandavalli and other villages has reduced.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka HC sets aside NGT order against MEG over Halasuru Lake pollution
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a May 20, 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre, Bengaluru, responsible for pollution in Halasuru Lake.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind ruled that the NGT's order, which imposed an environmental compensation of ₹2.94 crore on MEG, was issued without granting them an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
The court has remanded the case back to the NGT, Southern Zone, Chennai, for reconsideration. The NGT has been directed to decide afresh on the imposition of environmental compensation after providing a fair hearing to MEG.
However, the High Court ordered MEG to deposit ₹1 crore with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as per the August 2024 NGT directive. This deposit will remain subject to the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
The NGT initiated the case in March 2016 following a news report that alleged pollution by a slaughterhouse, MEG, and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The BWSSB was also directed to pay ₹1 crore as environmental compensation.
Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, representing MEG, argued that an open stormwater drain under BWSSB flows through MEG’s premises into the lake, contributing to the pollution. He stated that the sewage load from MEG is minimal and plans for a 1,200-KLD sewage treatment plant (STP) are underway.
The bench noted that no proper liability assessment had been conducted against MEG, and no opportunity was provided for them to present their defence before the demand notice was issued.
The matter will now be re-examined by the NGT.
