ICMR-NIE begins study to assess prevalence of monkey fever in Western Ghats forests

The ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) has begun a study to find the extent of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in the five states of the Western Ghats.

As ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) is set to begin Phase-1 trials for vaccine against KFD, the study will help the state government’ in the Ghat region to target the areas for vaccination.

Also known as monkey fever, KFD is associated with sudden onset of high-grade fever, prostration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and occasionally neurological and haemorrhagic manifestations. It is transmitted to man by bites of infected ticks.

Found in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Goa, the disease results in 250-300 deaths annually.

According to ICMR-NIE Director Dr Manoj V Murhekar, the study will find the sero-prevalence of KFD in endemic and non-endemic areas of Western Ghat districts across five states. Seroprevalence is a means of determining the burden of infection in a population over time.

“The study will determine the prevalence of the virus among the population in the Western Ghats. It will be completed by the end of this year. Since this disease is a cause of worry for Karnataka, they requested ICMR to develop a vaccine. Our study will help in targeting those areas for vaccination which have higher prevalence of the disease,” Murhekar said.

Another official from ICMR said that earlier a Bengaluru-based firm had developed a vaccine but it was not effective. Hence, it was discontinued.

“The present vaccine developed by the ICMR will be a two-dose jab. The second dose will be administered after the first dose. Once the preclinical trials is over, clinical trials will begin. Efficacy of the vaccine will be determined,” the official said.

A senior health official from Karnataka confirmed that the state witnessed over 100 cases of KFD and recorded one death this year.

“We have asked ICMR to develop a vaccine. This disease is indeed a cause for concern for the government. Once developed, it will help reduce the fatality rate in forest areas of Karnataka,” he said.

Health