KARNATAKA
Sirsi to Host Karnataka’s Second Monkey Fever Testing Laboratory
- 25 Dec 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Karnataka is establishing its second Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) testing laboratory in Sirsi to enhance disease detection and control efforts in the state.
Key Points
- Location: The testing laboratory will be set up in Sirsi, in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.
- Purpose: It is being established to handle increased testing demand, improve diagnostic capacity, and enable earlier detection of KFD cases.
- Disease Background: Kyasanur Forest Disease, also called Monkey Fever, is a tick‑borne viral disease endemic to parts of Karnataka and other regions.
- Symptoms : Fever, headache, body pain, chills, fatigue, vomiting etc.
- Treatment: No specific antiviral treatment available but needs supportive care, antipyretics, pain relief, hydration and preventive measures.
- Spread: through tick bites and handling infected animals.
- Types: It is a zoonotic disease and has no human-to-human transmission.
- First Lab: The first KFD testing lab is in Shivamogga district of Karnataka.
