Karnataka Reports Death From Kyasanur Forest Disease: Symptoms, Spread and Risk

A 29-year-old man in Karnataka died after contracting the little-known viral Kyasanur Forest Disease, or KFD, commonly known as monkey fever. According to experts, this deadly condition often goes unnoticed until it turns fatal. “This is an unusual and unfortunate case, as usually, if KFD is detected within a week of contraction, the survival rate is close to 100%. In his case, our officers immediately picked him up after symptoms were reported, and KFD was confirmed within one day, and the referral happened quickly. He was stable until a couple of days ago,” Gurudatta Hegde, commissioner, health department, told Times of India. Despite being called monkey fever, this tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, endemic to southwestern India, is caused

by ticks and not directly through the animals.

What is KFD?

According to The Lancet, Kyasanur Forest Disease belongs to the genus Flavivirus and is a member of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex. It is transmitted by a range of tick species, with Haemaphysalis spinigera being considered the principal vector. Apart from monkeys, a wide range of small rodents and birds also play a role in KFD transmission. Cattle are probably important hosts for adult H. spinigera ticks, but develop neutralising antibodies against KFDV, which suppress virus amplification. Doctors say the disease has a 3 to 15 per cent fatality rate and is transmitted by ticks - often after contact with infected monkeys or in forest areas. Humans, who contract the KFD virus when bitten by an infected tick or by coming in contact with an infected animal, are considered dead-end hosts. This is because they cannot infect ticks or other people with the virus and hence do not play a role in the onward transmission of KFDV.

Signs and symptoms of KFD

A few signs and symptoms of the condition include:

• High fever
• Severe headaches
• Muscle and body pain
• Severe hemorrhaging

Also read: Nipah Virus Explained: Why Even a Single Case Triggers High Alert

Who gets affected?

KFD first emerged in the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka in 1957, after the entire forest came into human contact. Since 2012, Kyasanur Forest Disease has spread to new districts and states within the country, as human cases have increased significantly to around 500 every year. Data shows that around 5 to 10 per cent of those who are affected by KFD develop haemorrhagic symptoms and die. There have been at least 340 confirmed deaths from the disease over the last five years. Doctors say those who are most affected by KFD live in low-income forest communities, including:

• Resident and migratory farmers who graze animals
• Tribal forest-dwellers
• Day labourers in plantations

Can KFD be treated?

Even though KFD can be managed through vaccination, information campaigns, and tick protection measures, lack of awareness about the disease and poor vaccine uptake can prolong and exacerbate epidemics. A formalin-activated vaccine is available, though its efficacy varies. Doctors advise wearing protective clothing and using tick repellents when dwelling in forest areas.