Kyasanur Forest Disease | 12 Feb 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

Since the beginning of 2024, two individuals have lost their lives due to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a viral infection prevalent in Karnataka.

• The number of deaths reported due to the disease since 1956, when it was noticed in the forests of Shivamogga district, is above 560.

What is Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)?

• About:
  • Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a zoonotic illness, is colloquially referred to as “monkey disease” due to its link with monkey fatalities.
  • It is caused by the Kyasanur Forest disease Virus (KFDV), which primarily affects humans and monkeys.
    • It was first identified in 1957 in a sick monkey from the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka. Since then, between 400-500 human cases per year have been reported.
    • Eventually, KFD emerged as a grave public health problem spreading through the entire Western Ghats.
• Transmission:
  • In nature, the virus is maintained mainly in hard ticks (Haemaphysalis spinigera), monkeys, rodents, and birds.
  • To humans, it may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal (a sick or recently dead monkey).
• Occurrence:
  • Normally, the transmission begins from late November to June and peaks between December and March.
• Symptoms:
  • Characterized by chills, frontal headache, body ache, and high fever for five to 12 days with a case fatality rate of 3 to 5%.
• Diagnosis:
  • Diagnosis can be made in the early stage of illness by molecular detection by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) or virus isolation from blood.
  • Later, serologic testing using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Serologic Assay (ELISA) can be performed.
• Treatment and Prevention:
  • Doctors manage symptoms and monitor vitals daily, in the absence of any specific treatment.
    • Patients are receiving free treatment as per the State Government's decision.
  • A vaccine (Formalin inactivated KFDV vaccine) does exist for KFD and is used in endemic areas of India.
    • However, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is said to be in consultation with Indian Immunologicals for the development of a vaccine.
  • The forest department is distributing (N, N-diethyl phenylacetamide) DEPA oil, to be applied to exposed skin which acts as a tick repellent.