Woman dies due to Kyasanur Forest Disease KFD in Chikkamagaluru

KFD, a viral infection, is also known as monkey fever, as monkeys also get infected. It spreads through ticks. Human beings who visit forest areas either for livelihood, to graze cattle or to collect firewood are vulnerable to infection.
| Photo Credit: SAGGERE RAMASWAMY

A 69-year-old woman in Karnataka died due to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a viral infection, on March 15.

The woman is a native of Kattinamane in N.R. Pura taluk of Chikkamagaluru district. She complained of high fever when she had been to her son’s place at Melpal. She was taken to the government hospital at Koppa on March 13. The laboratory tests of her blood sample revealed KFD infection. She was admitted to the KFD ward in the hospital.

As her condition deteriorated, the doctors referred her to a hospital Manipal, in Udupi district. She breathed her last at night on March 15 on the way to the hospital.

Ashwath Prabhu, the District Health Officer of Chikkamagaluru, told The Hindu that the lady had comorbidity conditions. She was suffering from diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Her condition deteriorated due to a drop in her platelet count.

Since January this year, 46 KFD cases have been reported in Chikkamagaluru district. All the patients recovered while six are under treatment. This was the first death due to KFD in the district this year.

KFD, a viral infection, is also known as monkey fever, as monkeys also get infected. It spreads through ticks. Human beings who visit forest areas either for livelihood, to graze cattle or to collect firewood are vulnerable to infection.