Monkey fever deaths in Karnataka: What is this disease?

Two individuals have succumbed to the deadly Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, in Karnataka this year, according to a report by PTI citing state health officials. The reported cases forced the health officials to hold meetings and review the preparedness to tackle the spread of the viral infection. Here’s all we know about the disease. Monkey fever alert in Karnataka According to the health department, the first fatality due to monkey fever was reported in Hosanagar taluk of Shivamogga district on 8 January wherein an 18-year-old succumbed to the virus. The second fatality was reported at Manipal in Udupi district when a 79-year-old man from Sringeri taluk in Chikkamagaluru died in a private hospital. So far, a total of 49 cases have been reported in the state, with a maximum of 34 cases being concentrated in Uttara Kannada district, followed by 12 in Shivamogga and the remaining three in Chikkamagaluru districts, the news agency reported on Sunday. Amid an increase in the number of KFD cases and two deaths, state Health and Family Welfare Commissioner D Randeep on Saturday visited Shivamogga and held meetings with health officials in the three districts. The state health commissioner said that since 1 January, the department has collected 2,288 samples from affected districts and at least 48 of them tested positive. “As of Friday, we have 31 cases of monkey fever in the district. 12 people are admitted to hospitals. All of them are stable and so far, we have not witnessed any serious cases. All precautions are being taken. Our medical officers and field staff have done multiple meetings at the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat levels. All our taluk and district hospitals are equipped with staff and facilities to deal with such cases,” he told PTI. About the disease Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a viral illness caused by the Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), which belongs to the Flaviviridae family. It is primarily transmitted through tick bites. Rodents, shrews, and monkeys are common hosts for KFDV after being bitten by an infected tick. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease was first identified in 1957 when it was isolated from a sick monkey from the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka (formerly Mysore). Since then, over 400 to 500 cases per year have been reported in various parts of South Asia. Its transmission Transmission to humans occurs after a tick bite, particularly the Haemaphysalis spinigera species, or contact with an infected animals, primarily sick or recently dead monkey, CDC said. Humans are susceptible to infection during outdoor activities in forested areas where infected ticks are prevalent. Symptoms Symptoms of monkey fever include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, according to News18 which cited the Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute. As quoted by PTI, Dr Neeraj B, who is the Uttara Kannada District Health Officer, said, “Once you contract monkey fever, you develop symptoms in the next three to five days which could be high fever, severe body ache, headache, redness of eyes, cold and cough.” In severe cases, the disease can progress to complications like encephalitis, hepatitis and multi-organ failure, posing grave risks to affected individuals. Prevention and treatment Preventing KFD hinges on implementing effective measures to avoid tick bites and minimize exposure to infected animals. Strategies include using insect repellents containing DEET, wearing protective clothing, avoiding tick habitats, and performing regular tick checks after outdoor activities. Unfortunately, there is no specific antiviral treatment for monkey fever. Supportive therapy includes the maintenance of hydration and the usual precautions for patients with bleeding disorders. Management primarily involves symptom alleviation, supportive care and close monitoring for complications. In severe cases, hospitalisation may be necessary for intensive therapy and observation. With inputs from PTI