Kyasanur Forest Disease

About Kyasanur Forest Disease

•  It is a zoonotic disease.
• The disease was first reported from Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka in India in 1957, hence it is known as Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD).
• It is also known as “monkey disease/monkey fever” because of its association with monkey deaths.
• This virus has spread along the entire stretch of the Western Ghats region, which also includes Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa.
• Symptoms
  • Sudden onset of high grade fever, prostration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and occasionally neurological & haemorrhagic manifestations.
• Transmission: It is transmitted through the bite of ticks and bonnet, and black-faced langur monkeys are highly susceptible to the infection. They play a significant role in the spread of the virus in the human population.
• Treatment
  • No specific treatment for KFD is available; however, prompt symptomatic and supportive therapy including maintenance of hydration, hemodynamic stability and management of neurological symptoms decreases morbidity and mortality.

Q1) What are Zoonotic diseases ?

 These (also known as zoonoses) are caused by germs that spread between animals and people. Zoonotic diseases are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi. These germs can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals, ranging from mild to serious illness and even death. 

Source: A study confirms the presence of Kyasanur forest disease in two more Karnataka districts