Kyasanur Forest Disease
About
- Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a regional zoonotic disease found in Western Ghats, affecting states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra.
- It is associated with sudden onset of high grade fever, prostration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and occasionally neurological & haemorrhagic manifestations.
- The disease, caused by the KFD virus, was first discovered in 1957 from Kyasanur forest area, Shimoga district of Karnataka.
- It is also known as “monkey disease/monkey fever” because of its association with monkey deaths.
Transmission:
- The KFD virus is a member of the genus flavivirus and family Flaviviridae. People get KFD from infected tick bites (Haemaphysalis spinigera) or exposure to an infected animal.
- KFD does not spread between people.
- There are currently no KFD specific treatments or vaccines available.
Why in News?
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has initiated human clinical trials towards developing vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease.