Kyasanur Forest Disease

Facts for Prelims

Kyasanur Forest Disease

News: Recently, a study by the Indian Council for Medical Research and the National Institute of Virology has for the first time, confirmed the presence of the Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) virus in two more districts of Karnataka.

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