Kyasanur Forest Disease
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What is Kyasanur forest disease? |
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Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is caused by Kyasanur forest disease virus
(KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae. KFDV was identified
in 1957 when it was isolated from a sick monkey from the Kyasanur forest
in the Karnataka (formerly Mysore) State, India.
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Where
does Kyasanur forest disease occur?
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KFD is limited to Karnataka State, India. Recently, however, a virus
very similar to KFD virus was discovered in Saudi Arabia.
| How is Kyasanur
forest disease spread to humans? |
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The main hosts of KFDV are small rodents, but shrews, bats, and monkeys
may also carry the virus. KFD is transmitted from the bite of an infected
tick (Haemaphysalis spinigera is the major vector). Humans can get these
diseases from a tick bite or by contact with an infected animal, such as
sick or recently dead monkey.
Larger animals such as goats, cows, and sheep may become infected with KFD,
but they do not have a role in the transmission of the disease. Furthermore,
there is no evidence of the disease being transmitted via the unpasteurized
milk of any of these animals.
| What are the symptoms
of Kyasanur forest disease? |
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After an incubation period of 3-8 days, the symptoms of KFD begin suddenly
with fever, headache, severe muscle pain, cough, dehydration, gastrointestinal
symptoms and bleeding problems. Patients may experience abnormally low
blood pressure, and low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell
counts. After 1-2 weeks of symptoms, some patients recover without complication.
However, in most patients, the illness is biphasic and the patient begins
experiencing a second wave of symptoms at the beginning of the third week.
These symptoms include fever and signs of encephalitis (inflammation of
the brain).
| How is Kyasanur
forest disease diagnosed? |
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The diagnosis is made by virus isolation from blood or by serologic testing
using enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA).
| Is Kyasanur forest
disease fatal? |
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There are approximately 400-500 cases of KFD per year with a case fatality
rate of 3% to 5%
| How is Kyasanur
forest disease treated? |
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There is no specific treatment for KFD, but supportive therapy is important.
Supportive therapy includes the maintenance of hydration and the usual
precautions for patients with bleeding disorders.
| Who is at risk
for the disease? |
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People with recreational or occupational exposure to rural or outdoor
settings (e.g., hunters, campers, forest workers, farmers) are potentially
at risk for infection by contact with infected ticks.
| How is Kyasanur
forest disease prevented? |
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Currently, there is no vaccine available for KFD. Utilizing insect repellents
and wearing protective clothing in areas where ticks are endemic is recommended.
| Related materials: |
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Kyasanur forest disease virus. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), Public
Health Agency of Canada.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/msds-ftss/msds91e.html
