Kyasanur Forest Disease

Kyasanur Forest Disease

News: Recently, Karnataka is grappling with the outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), commonly known as monkey fever.

About:
• Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, is a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to the southwestern part of India.
• Cause: KFD is caused by the Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae.
• Transmission: KFDV is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected hard ticks (Haemaphysalis spinigera), which act as a reservoir of KFDV. Rodents, shrews, and monkeys are common hosts for KFDV after being bitten by an infected tick.
• Symptoms: Symptoms of KFD may appear suddenly 3-8 days after exposure and include high fever, frontal headaches, chills, severe muscle pain, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Bleeding problems may occur 3–4 days after initial symptom onset.
• Treatment: Hospitalization and supportive therapy are important for treating KFD. There is a vaccine for KFD which is used in endemic areas of India.
• Risk of Exposure: KFD has historically been limited to the western and central districts of Karnataka State, India