Monkey Fever | Kyasnaur Forest Disease (KFD)

Why in news?

• Known medically as Kyasnaur Forest Disease (KFD)
• First detected in 1950s, but it was endemic to Shimdoga in Karnataka till recently.
• Now detected in Kerala, that's why in news.

Details:

• Viral disease
• human contract infection by the bite of tick
• Among animals, only monkeys seem to succumb to the infection after they come into contact with infected ticks. 
• Monkey deaths in a locality is often an indication that human infections might follow.
• That's why called "monkey fever".
• The symptoms of the disease include a high fever with frontal headaches, followed by haemorrhagic symptoms, such as bleeding from the nasal cavity, throat, and gums, as well as gastrointestinal bleeding.
• A vaccine has been developed, but not very effective.
• No specific treatment available. 
• 10% morbidity.

[Contributed by: CHANDAN KUMAR]