Kyasanur Forest Disease

News:Recently,the Karnataka State government has allocated ₹15 crore to set up a research centre on Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in Sagar,Karnataka.

Facts:

About Kyasanur Forest Disease(KFD):

• KFD is caused by Kyasanur Forest disease Virus(KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae.
• The disease 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.

Transmission:

• Rodents, shrews and monkeys are common hosts for KFDV after being bitten by an infected tick.
• Transmission to humans may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal, most importantly a sick or recently dead monkey.

Symptoms:

• After an incubation period of 3-8 days, the symptoms like chills, fever, headache, severe muscle pain, vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms and bleeding may occur. 
• Patients may also experience abnormally low blood pressure, and low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts.

Treatment:

• There is no specific treatment for the disease but however vaccine is available.