Outbreak of 'monkey disease’ that causes brain damage and bleeding kills two

06 February 2024 , 16:25

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The virus is from the same family as yellow fever and dengue fever, which is spread to victims through ticks, which carry the bug from sick monkeys to humans (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A dangerous "monkey fever" has killed at least two people in Southern India.

Another 49 have been infected by the Kyasanur Forest Disease, which causes brain damage, vomiting and bleeding. Reports suggest that the disease is spreading fast, and can be traced back to three separate districts south of Goa.

The virus is from the same family as yellow fever and dengue fever, which is spread to victims through ticks, which carry the bug from sick monkeys to humans. At present, the outbreak has claimed the lives of an 18-year-old girl from the Shivamogga district and a 79-year-old man, from the Udupi district.

Meanwhile, 34 cases have been reported in Uttara Kannada district followed by 12 in Shivamogga and the remaining three in Chikkamagaluru district, according to news agency PTI. Reportedly, vaccination treatment has begun in the villages.

This horrifying disease is nicknamed "monkey fever" and was first discovered in 1957 in the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka, India. Since around 500 people are infected with the bug each year. The victims tend to be those who work near or in the forest.

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These frequent outbreaks are the result of more forests being ripped down, which increases the risk of human-animal-tick contact. Dr Niraj, district health officer of Uttara Kannada district, has warned people not to enter the forest areas near where people have fallen ill with the disease.

He said: “Those who have to go to the forest are provided with repellent oil that is applied to the exposed parts of the body, such as the legs and arms. After returning, they should be washed properly."

Apart from a high fever, symptoms also include headache, bleeding from the nasal cavity and the throat, and psychological symptoms such as confusion. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these symptoms usually manifest between three and eight days of infection.

The CDC says some patients recover within one and two weeks without complications. However, ten to 20 per cent experience a "second wave of symptoms".

Full list of symptoms:

3-8 days after incubation

• chills
• fever
• headache

3-4 days after initial symptoms

• severe muscle pain
• vomiting
• gastrointestinal symptoms
• bleeding problems
• abnormally low blood pressure

1-2 weeks after infection

• some will recover those who don't may experience a second wave which includes fever and signs of neurological manifestations such as severe headache, mental disturbances, tremors, and vision deficits.

Zesha Saleem