"Rising Monkey Fever Cases in India: Symptoms, Prevention, and Alert in Karnataka and Kerala"
Monkey fever, also known as Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), is spreading in India, particularly in Karnataka, with 49 suspected cases and two deaths reported since January 1. The disease is caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (KFDV) and primarily spreads through the bite of infected ticks in forested areas where monkeys serve as reservoir hosts. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and bleeding tendencies. To stay safe, individuals should take precautions when visiting endemic areas, such as wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents, avoiding direct contact with monkeys, and seeking medical attention if symptoms occur. Vaccination against KFD is also available in endemic regions.