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.
