Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) or monkey fever scare has reached Bengaluru. While cases have been reported in several parts of Karnataka, Bengaluru has not reported any yet. Reportedly, Shivamogga district is the worst hit with six deaths and 58 cases coming to light. Other infected areas include Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Chikkamagaluru districts.
It was first reported in the country from Kyasanur forests in Shivamogga district in 1957, from where it gets its name.
The infection spreads through parasitic ticks and their bites as they move from monkeys to humans. Other ways in which it can spread include contact with sick/infected monkey.