KYASANUR FOREST DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Since January 1 this year, two people have died due to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a viral infection, in Karnataka.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

• About: It is caused by Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae. 
• First Identified: KFDV was identified in 1957 when it was isolated from a sick monkey from the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka (formerly Mysore) State, India.
• Transmission: Humans may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal, most importantly a sick or recently dead monkey. No person-to-person transmission has been described.
• Signs and Symptoms: Severe muscle pain with vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms and bleeding problems may occur 3-4 days after initial symptom onset.
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for KFD,
• Endemic Regions of KFD: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala