Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family, specifically belonging to the genus Flavivirus. It is the causative agent of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a tick-borne viral infection that primarily affects monkeys and humans.
KFDV was first identified in 1957 in Kyasanur Forest, India, during an outbreak among monkeys. The virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, with monkeys acting as the main reservoir hosts. Humans can also become infected through tick bites or contact with infected animal tissues, particularly when handling sick or dead monkeys.
The symptoms of KFD in humans generally start with a sudden onset of fever, headache, and body aches. Other symptoms may include gastrointestinal disturbances, bleeding manifestations, and neurological complications in severe cases. The disease has a case fatality rate ranging from 3% to 10%.
KFDV is a single-stranded RNA virus with a lipid envelope, possessing a genome that encodes for three structural and seven non-structural proteins. It shares close genetic similarities with other tick-borne flaviviruses such as the Russian spring-summer encephalitis virus and Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus.
Prevention and control of KFD involve measures such as vaccination of high-risk populations, wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents, and avoiding tick-infested areas. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for KFD, and supportive care is the mainstay of management.
Efforts are ongoing to better understand the ecology, transmission dynamics, and pathogenesis of KFDV, with the goal of developing specific treatments and preventive measures against this emerging zoonotic disease.
