A 69-year-old woman from Kattinamane in N.R. Pura taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, lost her life to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) on March 15. This tick-borne viral infection, commonly known as monkey fever, is transmitted through infected ticks in forested regions. People who venture into such areas for cattle grazing, firewood collection, or other livelihood activities are at higher risk of infection.
The woman had been visiting her son in Melpal when she developed a high fever. She was initially taken to the government hospital in Koppa on March 13, where blood tests confirmed KFD. She was subsequently admitted to the hospital’s KFD ward for specialized care. However, her condition deteriorated due to a drop in platelet count. Given her worsening health, doctors referred her to a hospital in Manipal, Udupi district. Unfortunately, she passed away on the way to the hospital.
According to Chikkamagaluru District Health Officer Ashwath Prabhu, the woman had multiple comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease, which contributed to her decline. Since the beginning of the year, Chikkamagaluru district has reported 46 cases of KFD. While most patients have recovered, six remain under treatment. This marks the first KFD-related fatality in the district in 2024.
KFD, first identified in Karnataka’s Kyasanur Forest in 1957, continues to pose a significant health risk in forested regions. The disease causes fever, headaches, muscle pain, and in severe cases, hemorrhaging and multi-organ complications. Authorities advise residents, particularly those working in forests, to take preventive measures such as wearing protective clothing and avoiding tick-infested areas.
With KFD cases persisting, public health officials emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and preventive vaccination in high-risk regions.
