Kyasanur Forest Disease

Key Facts

• There is a proposal to set up a research center on Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in Sagar, Karnataka.
• The State government has already allocated ₹15 crores for establishing the center, which will take up study and research on tackling KFD.

Key Points

• It is caused by the Kyasanur Forest disease Virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae.
• It was first identified in 1957 in a sick monkey from the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka. Since then, between 400-500 human cases per year have been reported.
• KFD is endemic to the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also referred to as monkey fever by locals.
• Rodents, shrews, and monkeys are common hosts for KFDV after being bitten by infected Hard ticks (Haemaphysalis Spinigera). KFDV can cause epizootics (outbreak of the disease in animals) with high fatality in primates.
• Transmission: To humans, it may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal (a sick or recently dead monkey).
• Signs and Symptoms: After an incubation period of 3-8 days, symptoms like chills, fever, headache, severe muscle pain, vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms, and bleeding may occur. Patients may experience abnormally low blood pressure, and low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell count.
• Diagnosis: It can be diagnosed in the early stage of illness by molecular detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or virus isolation from the blood. Later, serologic testing using enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA) can be performed.
• Treatment and Prevention: There is no specific treatment for KFD although a vaccine is available.