Kyasanur Forest Disease

WHY IN NEWS? A new point-of-care test has been found to be highly sensitive in the rapid diagnosis of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD). This disease is also known as monkey fever. About: It is caused by Kyasanur Forest disease Virus (KFDV), which primarily affects humans and monkeys. It 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. Eventually, KFD emerged as a grave public health problem spreading through the entire Western Ghats. Transmission: In nature, the virus is maintained mainly in hard ticks (Haemaphysalis spinigera), monkeys, rodents and birds. To humans, it may occur after a tick bite or....Read More