Kyasanur Forest Disease
Full Form of KFD
What is KFD?
Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease virus, a member of the Flaviviridae family. First identified in 1957 in the Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka, India, KFD primarily affects humans and some wild primates. The disease is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks (Haemaphysalis spinigera) that reside on forest animals like monkeys, rodents, and birds. It is prevalent in the Western Ghats region of India, particularly in Karnataka, Goa, and parts of Maharashtra and Kerala, during the dry season (November to June). Symptoms include high fever, headache, myalgia, and gastrointestinal issues, with severe cases leading to hemorrhagic complications. KFD is a zoonotic disease with significant public health impact in rural forest-fringe communities. Prevention focuses on tick control, personal protective measures, and inactivated KFD vaccines. In India, KFD outbreaks are monitored by the National Centre for Disease Control and state health departments. For medical students and public health professionals, KFD is a classic example of an emerging infectious disease tied to ecological changes. Understanding its epidemiology is crucial for exams in virology and preventive medicine.
KFD का फुल फॉर्म
क्यासानुर वन रोग
Example
The health department issued a KFD alert after two reported deaths from Kyasanur Forest Disease in the Shimoga district.