Kullan Bomman, 40, of Ezhupathimoonnu Kattunayakka Tribal Hamlet at Cheeyambam, near Pulpally, in Wayanad district died of suspected monkey fever (Kyasanur Forest Disease or KFD) at the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kozhikode, on Saturday.
The Health Department is yet to confirm the cause of death.
This is the third suspected monkey fever death case being reported from the district in a week.
Four days ago, Kullan Bomman was admitted to the Pulpally Community Health Centre with the symptoms of the disease. He was then shifted to the District Hospital, Mananthavady.
Symptoms
He reportedly developed severe neurological problems and was referred to the MCH on Friday, Health Department sources said.
The symptoms of dengue fever, leptospirosis, and scrub typhus, a zoonotic disease transmitted through mites, were similar to that of the KFD, Dr. Neeta Vijayan, District Medical Officer, Wayanad, told The Hindu . The exact reason for the death could be ascertained only after a detailed analysis of the blood sample. It would be treated as a KFD death as the patient had the symptoms associated with the disease, she said.
35 cases
The Health Department intensified preventive measures in KFD-hit areas in the district, sources said.
As many as 35 KFD cases had been reported in the district in three weeks so far, sources said.
Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Tribes P.K. Jayalakshmi said the government would give Rs.1 lakh each to the kin of tribesmen who died of monkey fever.
Speaking to mediapersons after a visit to affected areas inthe Pulpally grama panchayat on Saturday, Ms. Jayalakshmi said thegovernment had earmarked Rs.31.25 lakh for disease-control activities in KFD-hit areas.
The Minister also announced an assistance of Rs.10,000 eachto KFD patients who had been admitted to various hospitals in thedistrict, Ms. Jayalakshmi said.
Third death in Wayanad in the past week
Rs.2 lakh to kin of deceased tribespeople
