Abstract / Summary
Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), better known as monkey fever, is a tick-borne virus that causes a zoonotic disease endemic to the Western Ghats of India. The disease is caused by Kyasanur Forest Disease virus (KFDV) belonging to the genus Flavivirus. Humans are often infected by the bite of infected Haemaphysalis ticks during work or travel in forested environments. The disease was first reported from Karnataka in the year 1957 and has slowly spread to a few neighboring states. The disease is an important public health problem. KFD is naturally transmitted between ticks, wild animals and humans. Monkeys, particularly bonnet macaques and gray langurs, are very susceptible to infection and often die during outbreaks, serving as early indicators of viral activity. Human cases are most frequently reported January through June when tick populations are highest. The distribution of infected ticks and the persistence of the disease are influenced by environmental factors, such as forest vegetation, climate and wildlife movement. Patients with KFD usually present with sudden onset of fever, severe headache, myalgia and gastrointestinal symptoms, although a minority may develop bleeding or neurological complications. Illness and deaths can be reduced by early detection, supportive medical care and preventive measures. Efective control depends on continuous disease surveillance, vaccination of high-risk groups, public awareness, protection against tick bites, and coordinated vector control. Continued research and improved public health programs are still needed to control KFD spread in endemic areas. Keywords: Kyasanur Forest Disease; tick-borne virus; Haemaphysalis; monkey fever; bonnet macaques; gray langurs