Why is it in the News?

Karnataka is currently facing challenges posed by the spread of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also recognized as monkey fever.

What is KFD?

• The disease was first noticed in the Kysanur Forest area of Sorab Taluk in Shivamogga district in 1956 and was named after the region.
• It is also known as monkey fever, as monkeys also get infected.
  • The death of a monkey serves as a warning of a KFD outbreak.
• The scientists concluded that the virus (Flaviviridae virus family) must have been present in the forests of the Malnad region.
• It became active due to ecological changes.
• The disease spreads through ticks.
• Primates that come in contact with infective ticks contract the disease.
• Human beings who visit the forest area either for livelihood, to graze cattle, or to collect firewood contract the disease.
• Normally, the transmission begins from late November to June.
• It peaks between December and March, according to studies.
  • A blood test is done to identify if someone has KFD.

Symptoms:

• Symptoms start to appear three to eight days after the bite, of an infective tick.
• The common symptoms are:
  • Fever
  • Redness of the eyes
  • Severe headache, and
  • Body pain
• Three to four days after the onset of initial symptoms, the patient may have gastrointestinal symptoms.
• In severe cases, bleeding from the nose is noted.

Treatment:

• There is no specific treatment, doctors handle the symptoms and monitor the vitals daily.
• An attempt to use a vaccine was given up after studies showed it to be ineffective.
• The ICMR is said to be in consultation with Indian Immunologicals for the development of a vaccine.