Introduction:
Monkey fever, scientifically known as Kyasanur forest disease, is a viral fever that is caused by a virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae and is carried by ticks and birds. Hence, it is categorized as a vector-borne disease. It mainly affects monkeys and human beings. It was first noted in the Kyasanur forest in Karnataka, India in March 1957 where lots of monkeys died because of this. Hence, commonly known as monkey fever or disease. Infection to the human was later reported in Bandipur while handling infected dead monkeys. The condition is a major concern in India. The disease can progress and cause neurological symptoms such as coma, seizures, and confusion. Improved surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and preventive measures can control the spread of the disease. The article discusses monkey fever, its causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
What Are the Causes of Monkey Fever?
Monkey fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks or birds. The disease can also spread via contact with the tissues or blood of the infected animals such as monkeys. The virus that causes the disease is known as the Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV). The virus is commonly found in the monkeys and ticks that feed on these monkeys. Humans can get infected when they come in contact with infected ticks or the tissues or blood of infected animals.
What Are the Risk Factors of Monkey Fever?
The risk factors of monkey fever are as follows:
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Living or Working in the Forested or Rural Areas: People who live in these areas where the KFD virus is present are at high risk of being exposed to infected animals or ticks.
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Contact With Ticks or Infected Animals: The KFD virus is present in monkeys and ticks. People who come into contact with these infected animals or ticks are at high risk of developing the condition.
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Seasonal Factors: The risk of having the disease is higher during the months of December to May. During these months the tick activity is very high.
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Age and Gender: Males are more likely to get affected than females. People over the age of 40 years are at more risk of developing the condition.
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Occupational Exposure: People who work in agricultural fields or forests like farmers are more likely to be exposed to ticks and infected animals and are at high risk of contracting disease.
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Lack of Awareness: People who are unaware of the preventive measures or risk factors are at high risk of developing the condition.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Monkey Fever?
Initially, the symptoms represent chills, and fever with headaches in the frontal region after an incubation period of three to eight days. These are followed by bleeding from the nose, throat, gingiva (gums), and even stomach (gastrointestinal bleeding) after three to four days of onset of initial symptoms, along with abnormally low blood pressure, decreased platelets, red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC).
It can be associated with the following other symptoms, especially neurological symptoms at the beginning of the third week in some patients with fever, such as:
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The stiffness of the muscles.
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Mental disturbances.
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Absence of reflexes.
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A severe headache.
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Vision problems.
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Tremors.
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Giddiness.
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Altered sensorium.
Being a viral fever, in some patients the condition gets cured on its own within one to two weeks without any complication, but the recovery period is prolonged and can extend to several months. The affected person may feel weak accompanied by muscle pain that might hinder day-to-day activities.
How Can Monkey Fever Be Transmitted?
Monkey fever is transmitted through the vector Haemaphysalis spinigera which is a forest tick and a variety of animals play the role of reservoir like rats, squirrels, etc. Humans get the infection from the bite of nymphs (immature form) of ticks. People who handle or come into contact with the tissues or blood of infected animals are at high risk. In rare cases, the disease can be transmitted through the inhalation of infected materials like aerosolized tissues or the blood of infected animals. The human-to-human transmission is rare.
How Can Monkey Fever Be Diagnosed?
Monkey fever can be diagnosed on symptoms, history of exposure, or laboratory diagnosis. Earlier, the methods used included hemagglutination inhibition assays (HI), complement fixation tests, neutralization tests, and injecting mice with a serum of infected individuals. The following diagnostic tests are used to diagnose the condition.
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Serological Tests: The test detects the antibodies against the KFDV in the blood of the infected person. The most commonly used serological test for the detection of KFDV is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
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Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test: The test finds the genetic material of the virus in the blood of an infected individual. It is a highly sensitive test used for the detection of viruses in the early stages of infection.
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Viral Culture: The test is not commonly used for the detection of KFDV because of the risk of infection to laboratory personnel. The test is done by taking and isolating the blood or tissues of the infected person.
How Can Monkey Fever Be Treated?
There is no specific treatment for the condition but early hospitalization along with fluid level management, the management or precautions for bleeding disorders, complete rest, and a diet rich in protein may help. Some home remedies believed to be beneficial include garlic, ginger, turmeric, green tea, and mushrooms by boosting immunity.
How Can Monkey Fever Be Prevented?
The prevention measures are as follows:
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Wearing protective clothing.
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Tick control.
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Use of insect repellants.
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Avoid contact with infected animals.
Conclusion:
Monkey fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks to humans. The symptoms include fever, pain, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding from the gums, nose, and other body parts. There is no specific treatment for the condition. Supportive care can manage the symptoms. People should adopt preventive measures to manage the condition.