Kyasanur Forest Disease

15.04.2025

Kyasanur Forest Disease

Why in the news?                        

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), or "monkey fever," is currently surging in Karnataka's Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts recently.

About Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD):

• KFD, also referred to as Monkey Fever, is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic disease, which can be fatal to humans and other primates.
• It is mostly found in southern India. The disease was first reported from the Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka in 1957, hence, it is known as KFD.
• The causal agent, Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus), is a member of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex.
• The epidemic period usually begins in October or November and peaks from January to April, then declines by May and June.

Transmission of the disease:

• Hard ticks (Hemaphysalis spinigera) spread the KFD virus to people and to animals, like monkeys and rodents.
• No person-to-person transmission has been established yet.

Symptoms of the disease:

• Most people with KFD have a sudden onset of chills, fever, and headache.
• Severe muscle pain, vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms, and bleeding can follow 3 or 4 days after symptoms begin.
• Most patients recover one to two weeks after symptoms begin.
• About 10 to 20% of patients experience a second wave of symptoms, including severe headache, mental disturbances, tremors, and vision problems.
• Between 5 and 10% of people who are known to be affected by KFD die.

Treatment of the disease:

• There is no cure for KFD.
• Supportive care is crucial, including fluid balance, providing oxygen, managing blood pressure, and treating additional infections.
• Vaccine: A vaccine for KFD is available and recommended in the parts of India where KFD is found.
  • The existing vaccine is a formalin-inactivated whole virus vaccine, but it requires booster doses and has shown limited efficacy in some cases.

                                                           Source: The Times of India

Consider the following statement regarding the Kyasanur Forest Disease:

1.The disease was first reported from the Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka in 1957.

2.It also referred to as Monkey Fever, is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic disease

3.It is mostly found in southern India.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C.All three

D.None

 Answer C