About Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD):
- It is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic disease mostly found in southern India.
- The disease was first reported from the Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka in India in 1957; hence, it is known as KFD.
- The causal agent, KFD Virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus), is a member of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex.
- It is also known as “monkey disease/monkey fever” because of its association with monkey deaths.
- Transmission:
- Hard ticks (Hemaphysalis spinigera) spread the KFD virus to people and to animals, like monkeys and rodents.
- Transmission to humans may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal, most importantly a sick or recently dead monkey.
- KFD does not spread between people.
- Symptoms:
- Sudden onset of high-grade fever, prostration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and occasionally neurological and haemorrhagic manifestations.
- Treatment:
- 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.
