Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

Context:

Karnataka government has allocated Rs. 15 crores for establishing a research center on Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in Sagar, Karnataka.

About:

• Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is caused by 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, about 400-500 human cases per year have been reported.
• It is also called monkey fever by locals as KFD is endemic to the Indian state of Karnataka.
• Rodents, shrews, and monkeys are common hosts for KFDV after being bitten by infected Harticks (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 Seamonkey).
• Signs and Symptoms: chills, fever, headache, severe muscle pain, vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms, and bleeding. 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.