An eerie silence pervades the lanes of Nuggi village in Koppa taluk of Chikkamagaluru. People are hardly seen walking around. Occasionally, pickup vehicles are spotted on the road carrying plantation workers. Barely anyone visits the shop, located close to the panchayat office, in the span of half an hour.
The sudden increase in Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) cases in Nuggi panchayat in the last few days has left the local people worried. Whenever neighbours or relatives meet, the spreading viral infection dominates their discussion.
Since January 1, 30 cases of KFD, a viral infection, have been reported in Chikkamagaluru district. And a majority of them are from Nuggi panchayat limits in Koppa taluk. The panchayat is spread over two villages - Nuggi and Hosur - and a few hamlets. There are around 700 households in the panchayat.
