Monkey fever outbreak in Karnataka: 21 cases reported in Uttara Kannada; Symptoms and transmission
People can contract the disease through direct contact with infected animals or through tick bites. However, infected individuals play no role in the further transmission of the disease.
Bangalore: At least 21 cases of monkey fever, also known as Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), have been reported in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka so far. Of these, 8 patients have been admitted to hospitals, while the remaining 13 are being treated at home. Monkey fever is a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever that is endemic to southern India and can be fatal to humans. The virus is mainly found in forest areas, putting people living in and around these regions at high risk of infection.
Transmission and symptoms
Monkey fever is caused by a virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae, the same family of viruses that cause yellow fever and dengue. The virus is mainly transmitted through monkeys. People can contract the disease through direct contact with infected animals or through tick bites. However, infected individuals play no role in the further transmission of the disease.
Dr. Niraj, the District Health Officer (DHO), said people are warned not to venture into the forest area. “Those who have to enter the forests are provided with repellent oil to be applied to exposed parts of the body such as legs and hands. They must wash themselves well when they return. So far, 21 cases have been reported,” he said.
He said people have been asked to contact health authorities if they have symptoms of fever, cough and cold.
“People who are struck with monkey fever for the second time may experience bleeding symptoms and the temperature may also rise. People need to take precautions because the vaccines administered earlier have not worked effectively. The new vaccine is yet to arrive, until then people should be careful,” he said.
Symptoms associated with fever include:
- Nausea
- Vomit
- Muscle stiffness
- Mental disorder
- Tremors
- Poor visibility
- Severe headache
- Bad reflexes
Prevent monkey fever
To prevent monkey fever, it is essential to take measures such as wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents and avoiding contact with monkeys and ticks. In addition, individuals should maintain good hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing, to reduce the risk of infection.
Monkey fever Diagnosis
The doctors may recommend certain blood tests to diagnose simian fever, including hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, complement fixation tests, neutralization tests, RT-PCR and ELISA test to detect immunoglobin M antibodies. It is recommended to perform a PCR test at the initial stage of diagnosis, and at a later stage an ELISA test is performed.