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The Tamil Nadu public health department has issued a precautionary advisory to the Tamil Nadu forest department and local authorities in regions bordering Karnataka as the threat of Monkey Fever, also known as Kyasanur Forest Disease, looms large over the border villages. The move comes as Monkey Fever cases surge in Karnataka, with two fatalities reported and 103 individuals hospitalized across districts like Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, and Chickmagaluru.
A joint study conducted by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) has confirmed the presence of the deadly virus in Mysore and Hassan districts of Karnataka, which share borders with Tamil Nadu. As a proactive measure, state health and forest authorities have intensified surveillance along the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, recognizing the escalating threat posed by the disease.
Monkey Fever, a seasonal ailment more prevalent during dry periods, primarily affects populations in close contact with forest environments, including forest staff, anti-poaching watchers, and forest guards. The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, contiguous with the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka, is a particularly high-risk area. With approximately 200 field staff spending extensive hours in the MTR, the risk of exposure to the virus, carried by monkeys, rodents, and shrews, remains significant.
The impending dry season further exacerbates the risk, as forest fires are anticipated to increase, dispersing ticks – the carriers of the Monkey Fever virus – and heightening the likelihood of transmission to field staff.
Health department sources emphasized that although forest field staff in the Nilgiris region received vaccinations against Monkey Fever until 2020, the immunization efforts were halted amid the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving personnel vulnerable to the disease.
Monkey Fever typically manifests with symptoms such as chills, fever, and headache, appearing 3-8 days after exposure. Severe muscle pain, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues, and bleeding may follow shortly after the onset of initial symptoms. While there is no specific treatment for the disease, early hospitalization and supportive therapy are crucial in managing its progression.
As authorities ramp up efforts to mitigate the spread of Monkey Fever across state borders, heightened vigilance, proactive surveillance, and timely intervention are deemed imperative to safeguard public health and mitigate the impact of the outbreak.
