What is Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)? Monkey Fever Risk

Context: A case of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) has been reported from Kerala’s Wayanad district.

KFD, also known as monkey fever, is a viral disease transmitted to humans through a species of ticks usually found on monkeys.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a zoonotic disease-associated, among others, with occasional neurological & hemorrhagic manifestations.

It derives its name from the forest range where the virus was first isolated.
It is also known as “monkey disease/monkey fever” because of its association with monkey deaths.

The disease was first reported in 1957 from Shimoga district, Karnataka.
Monkey deaths and human cases have now been reported from the neighboring states bordering Karnataka viz., Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

KFDV is transmitted by an infected tick, especially nymphal stage ticks.
Rodents, shrews, and monkeys are common hosts for KFDV after being bitten by an infected tick.
When infected monkeys die, the ticks drop from their body, thereby generating “hot spots” of infectious ticks that further spread the disease.
Humans can get the disease form an infected tick bite or by contact with an infected animal, such as sick or recently dead monkey.
Available data does not suggest any human-to-human transmission.
The epidemic period usually begins in October or November and peaks from January to April, then declines by May and June.
The epidemic/ outbreaks relate to the activity of nymphs (an immature form of an insect that does not change greatly as it grows, e.g. a dragonfly, mayfly, or locust), which is very high during November to May.