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Recently, two people have died so far from the Kyasanur forest disease in Karnataka, prompting state health department officials to hold meetings and review preparedness to deal with the spread of the viral infection. news agency report PTI.
The first death due to Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) – also known as monkey fever – was recorded on January 8 in Hosanagar taluk of Shivamogga district. The victim was an 18-year-old girl.
The second death was reported in Manipal in Udupi district when a 79-year-old man from Sringeri taluk of Chikkamagaluru died at a private hospital, reports said.
So far, 49 positive cases of monkey fever have been observed in the state, of which maximum 34 cases have been reported in Uttara Kannada district, 12 cases in Shivamogga and the remaining three cases in Chikkamagaluru district.
Also read: What is tomato fever? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Karnataka Health Commissioner noted that since January 1, the health department has collected 2,288 samples from the affected districts where KFD cases were reported, of which 48 have tested positive for the disease.
What is Monkey Fever or KFD? How is it transmitted?
According to monkeyfeverrisk.ceh.ac.UK, KFD is a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic disease that can be fatal to humans and other primates.
The causative agent, Kyasanur forest disease virus, is a member of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex, which is spread by a range of tick species, with Haemophysalis spinigera considered the major vector. They generally survive on monkeys. Humans also become vulnerable to this disease by coming in contact with cattle bitten by ticks.
According to the description, castles are probably important hosts for adult Haemophysalis spinigera ticks. Humans who become infected with KFD virus through the bite of an infected tick or through contact with an infected animal are considered dead-end hosts.
However infected humans cannot transmit the virus to ticks or other people. Therefore they do not play any role in the onward transmission of KFD virus.
Who is affected?
First emerged in the Kyasanur forest of Karnataka in 1957, KFD has spread to new districts and states in India since 2012.
The health site claims human cases increase by about 500 each year and 5-10 percent of those infected with KFD develop hemorrhagic symptoms. Over the past five years, at least 340 deaths have been confirmed from KFD.
Those affected include:
a) Resident and migrant farmers who graze animals (largely cattle) in the forest.
b) Tribal forest dwellers who harvest fuel wood and non-timber forest products.
c) Daily laborers in plantations or for State Forest Departments.
How can this be stopped?
A) vaccination
b) Spread more awareness
With agency input.
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Published: 04 February 2024, 08:25 PM IST
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