Monkey fever grips Goa taluka; locals averse to vaccine, House told

PANAJI: Despite the remote taluka of Sattari in Goa being in the grip of monkey fever, most villagers are averse to get vaccinated against the disease, the State Legislative Assembly was informed today.

"We have begun a vaccination drive in villages after some patients were detected with monkey fever. But we have found that people are not ready to be vaccinated. Even if they take it for first time, they don't come during the second time for follow up," Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza said in the House.

Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane today raised a Calling Attention on the disease which has been detected among villagers of Mauxi, Zarmen and Copordem in Sattari.

The number of monkeys in forests there have grown due to which the disease is spreading, he said, adding that monkey caracases are being increasingly spotted in state forests.

"We have begun awareness amongst villagers. The team of health officials along with forest department and animal husbandy department is on the spot helping people," he said.

Also, D'Souza said that All India Institute of Virology has issued certain guidelines which are being circulated among villagers.

The minister clarified the disease is not communicable.

Rane continuing his address in the House demanded the monkeys' population should be controlled by culling.

Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar intervening on the floor of the House said the state government is contemplating the possibility of declaring some animals as vermins on the lines of neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka governments.

"There are representations received from farmers that some animals destroy their farms. The time has come that we declare them as vermin. We will do it in some days," the CM said.