Kyasanur Forest Disease

Why in news?

• ICMR-NIV recently developed a new point-of-care testing for Kyasanur forest disease.

About Kyasanur Forest Disease

• It is caused by Kyasanur Forest disease Virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae.
• 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.
• KFD is found in  the Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala. It is also referred to as monkey fever by locals.
• Rodents, shrews, and monkeys are common hosts for KFDV after being bitten by infected Hard ticks (Haemaphysalis Spinigera). KFDV can cause epizootics (outbreak of disease in animals) with high fatality in primates.
• Transmission: To humans, it may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal (a sick or recently dead monkey).
• Signs and 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 experience abnormally low blood pressure, and low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts.
• Diagnosis: It can be diagnosed 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: There is no specific treatment for KFD although vaccine is available.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding Kyasanur Forest Disease:
1.It is caused by Kyasanur Forest disease Virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae.
2.KFD is endemic to the Indian state of Karnataka.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question