Context:
Two people from Karnataka since January 1, 2024 have died due to Kyasanur Forest Disease, a viral infection.
- Since January 1, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has conducted 2,567 tests and 68 people have been found positive.
Relevance:
Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology, GS-II: Social Justice (Health related issues)
About the Kyasanur Forest disease
- Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic (accompanied by or produced by loss/escape of blood from a broken blood vessel, either inside or outside the body) fever ENDEMIC TO SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF INDIA.
- The disease is caused by a virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae.
- KFDV is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected hard ticks (Haemaphysalis spinigera) which act as a reservoir of KFDV.
- Patients may experience abnormally low blood pressure, and low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell count.
- A variety of animals are thought to be reservoir hosts for the disease, including porcupines, rats, squirrels, mice, and shrews.
- Monkeys are the main amplifying hosts for KFD virus and they are also sufferers, hence, the name Monkey Fever.
- Man is a terminal host and there no human-to-human transmission because the human domestic environment does not sustain the ticks.
- Prevention is by vaccination, as well as preventive measures such as protective clothing and tick population control.
-Source: The Hindu
