NAME: Kyasanur forest disease virus
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Kyasanur forest disease, tick-borne encephalitis virus group
CHARACTERISTICS: Flaviviridae (formerly group B arboviruses); spherical, enveloped virion about 45 nm in diameter, single-stranded, positive sense RNA genome
PATHOGENICITY: Sudden onset of fever and severe headache, followed by backpain, severe pain in the lower and upper extremities and prostration; biphasic course of illness and fever; central nervous abnormalities develop after an afebrile period of 1-2 weeks; relative bradycardia is frequently present along with inflammation of the conjunctivae; a mild meningoencephalitis frequently occurs; a small proportion of patients develop coma or bronchopneumonia prior to death
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Principally in the Shimoga and Kanara district of Karnataka, India; common in young adults exposed during the dry season in the forest
HOST RANGE: Humans, shrews, monkeys
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By the bite of an infective tick (Haemaphysalis spinigera), especially nymphal ticks; direct transmission from rodent to human is possible
INCUBATION PERIOD: Usually 3-8 days
COMMUNICABILITY: Not directly transmitted from person-to-person; infective ticks remains so for life
RESERVOIR: Rodents, shrews, monkeys
ZOONOSIS: Yes - disease can be acquired through rodents
VECTORS: Nymphal ticks (Haemaphysalis spinigera)
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: No antiviral available to date
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Sensitive to 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to heating at 56° C for 30 minutes
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Sensitive to freezing
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by serological analysis and viral isolation
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer supportive therapy; control of dehydration and hemorrhage is critical
IMMUNIZATION: None available to date
PROPHYLAXIS: None available
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 133 cases were reported up to 1980
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation, droplet exposure to the mucous membrane; aerosols
SPECIAL HAZARDS: Aerosol generation when working with experimentally infected rodents
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 4 practices and containment equipment for all activities involving the virus and potentially infectious body fluids or tissues
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Street clothing is removed and complete laboratory clothing is used, the nature of which depends on the level 4 design
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Clinical specimens from persons suspected of being infected with this virus should be submitted to a level 4 containment facility
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled and contained within the level 4 facility
Date prepared: March, 2001
Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright ©
Health Canada, 2001