Karnataka has reported its first death of the season due to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), commonly known as monkey fever, renewing concerns over the annual resurgence of the tick-borne viral illness in the Western Ghats region.
The victim, a 29-year-old man from Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district, succumbed after his condition deteriorated despite being diagnosed and placed under medical care. Health officials have confirmed the infection and have stepped up surveillance and preventive measures across vulnerable districts.
The fatality comes at a time when sporadic cases of monkey fever had already begun to surface in parts of Shivamogga and neighbouring Chikkamagaluru, indicating that the seasonal cycle of the disease has started earlier than usual.
Karnataka witnesses KFD cases almost every year, particularly in forested and semi-forested belts of the Malenadu region, where people frequently come into contact with ticks that transmit the virus. The disease typically peaks between January and March, though infections can continue until the onset of the monsoon.
Kyasanur Forest Disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever transmitted mainly through the bite of infected ticks found in forest environments. Humans do not spread the infection to one another, but exposure occurs when people enter forested areas for farming, grazing, collection of forest produce, or other livelihood activities.
Symptoms often begin with sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue, and in some cases progress to bleeding, neurological complications, or multi-organ involvement. While many patients recover with timely supportive care, severe cases can turn fatal.
The history of monkey fever in India dates back to the late 1950s, when the disease was first identified in the Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka’s Shivamogga district.
Initially recognised among dying monkeys and subsequently in humans, KFD was found to be caused by a virus transmitted by ticks in the rich forest landscapes of the Western Ghats. Over the decades, it has remained largely confined to this ecological belt, though occasional spikes in neighbouring states have been recorded.
Thousands of cases have been reported since its discovery, with several deaths, primarily in rural communities with close forest exposure. Periodic outbreaks have prompted extensive public health responses, including surveillance, tick control efforts, and vaccine trials, but the disease has persisted as an endemic threat in forested zones of southern India.
Following the first death of the season, district and state health authorities have intensified fever surveillance in villages located close to forests, directed primary health centres to promptly test suspected cases, and activated rapid response teams.
Preventive steps such as the distribution of tick repellents, advisories on wearing protective clothing, and awareness campaigns in high-risk communities are being reinforced. Hospitals in endemic districts have been asked to remain prepared with isolation facilities, antiviral medications where indicated, and referral mechanisms for complicated cases.
The incident once again highlights the persistent challenge KFD poses to public health systems in Karnataka. Despite decades of experience in managing the disease, it continues to claim lives, reflecting gaps in prevention coverage, early detection, and access to timely advanced care in remote areas. Forest-dependent populations remain especially vulnerable, and compliance with preventive practices is uneven, often due to limited awareness or economic compulsions that make avoidance of forest exposure difficult.
Another area of concern is vaccination. Although a vaccine exists and has been used in certain pockets in the past, its coverage has been inconsistent and its effectiveness has varied. Research institutions are working on improving vaccine formulations, but until a more reliable and widely deployable vaccine becomes available, the state must depend largely on surveillance, community engagement, and rapid clinical management to contain the disease.
The first death of the season serves as an early warning signal ahead of the peak months. Public health experts caution that case numbers could rise as more people venture into forested areas during the dry season. Strengthening frontline health services, ensuring the availability of diagnostic testing at peripheral facilities, and maintaining clear referral pathways will be crucial to reducing mortality.
For residents in endemic districts, the message remains clear: any fever following forest exposure should be treated as a medical emergency. Early reporting, prompt testing, and strict adherence to preventive measures can significantly lower the risk of severe disease. As Karnataka braces for another monkey fever season, the focus will be on whether intensified preparedness can translate into fewer infections and, most importantly, fewer deaths.