Karnataka was alerted by the health department after two people died from what’s called ‘Kyasanur Forest Disease’ (KFD). This is also known as ‘monkey fever’. The deaths have sparked stringent health precautions in the state. The health officials are reviewing their current protocols to prevent the further spread of the viral infection.
The first case of ‘monkey fever’ was reported on January 8 in Hosanagar taluk of Shivamogga district, where an 18-year-old girl lost her life to the virus. A 79-year-old man from Sringeri taluk in Chikkamagaluru was involved in the second death which occurred in Manipal, Udupi district.
According to PTI, Karnataka has seen a total of 49 confirmed cases of monkey fever, with the highest number (34 cases) reported in Uttara Kannada district, followed by 12 in Shivamogga, and three in Chikkamagaluru district. The Health and Family Welfare Commissioner, D Randeep, went to Shivamogga and had meetings with health officials from the affected districts due to the increase in cases and fatalities.
The Health Commissioner stated that since January 1st of this year, the Health department has collected 2,288 samples from the affected districts, with 48 of them testing positive for KFD. To prevent the spread, officials are taking precautionary measures and working closely with the affected districts.
According to officials, there is currently no vaccine available for KFD, but efforts are being made to address the issue through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
How monkey fever spreads: Tick bites to monkeys to humans
Kyasanur Forest Disease is transmitted by tick bites, and ticks commonly survive on monkeys. When these ticks bite humans, it causes an infection. The disease can be contracted by humans by touching cattle that have been bitten by ticks.
Door-to-door awareness programs are being conducted by the authorities to educate people on precautions, particularly those who live near forest areas, who are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. The previously provided vaccine was found to be ineffective, prompting officials to seek a more suitable solution through the ICMR.
Within 3 to 5 days of contracting the infection, symptoms are observed
Uttara Kannada District Health Officer Dr. Neeraj B 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”. “As on 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 incidents. All precautionary measures are being taken. Our medical officers and field staff have conducted 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.
To prevent monkeypox, it is important to practice good hygiene, such as regular handwashing, and avoid contact with animals, particularly rodents. It’s important to wear protective clothing when handling potentially infected animals or their bedding. Vaccination is crucial for individuals in high-risk areas.
The risk of transmission can be reduced by maintaining a clean living environment and avoiding bushmeat consumption. It is important for travelers to affected regions to exercise caution and follow health advisories. Early detection of symptoms prompts isolation and healthcare-seeking. By implementing these measures in concert, we can reduce the risk and spread of monkeypox, a rare zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
