Soon, monkeys to be declared vermin: Goa CM

PANAJI: The chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar told Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that time has come to describe some animals as vermin, nuisance animals that spread disease and destroy crops. “We have already initiated steps based on instructions of central government. We will do it as early as possible,” he said in response to concern expressed by Opposition Leader Pratapsing Rane. Discussion took place during motion of calling attention about rising cases of Kyasanur Forest Disease ( KFD) also called monkey fever detected in some villages of Sattari taluka.

Monkey disease is a viral disease caused by KFD virus transmitted by a tick bite infected with KFD virus.

Rane said monkeys are destroying horticulture crops, and farmers are very upset about it as forest department is not doing anything about. He said breeding of monkeys need to be controlled. To which, chief minister said he fully agree with the Opposition leader and assured to deal with the problem.

Earlier, deputy chief minister Francis D’Sousa who is also a health minister told the House measures health department has taken to control the spread of the disease. He said there have been no deaths so far because vaccination has been started in the affected villages.

He also told the House that procurement of 500 doses of vaccine is in process. Around 2000 doses were procured and 386 people were vaccinated with first dose and 221 with second doses in 2015.