What is the causative agent of Monkey Fever?

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Multiple Choice

What is the causative agent of Monkey Fever?

Monkey Fever refers to Kyasanur Forest disease, a viral illness in forested regions of southern India. The causative agent is Kyasanur Forest disease virus, a flavivirus in the Flaviviridae family. This virus is maintained in nature via ticks (primarily Haemaphysalis species), with monkeys and other small mammals acting as amplifying hosts; humans contract the disease after tick bites or, less commonly, contact with infected animal tissues. The disease characteristically presents as fever with headache and body aches and can include hemorrhagic symptoms, which is why it drew attention as a forest-associated febrile illness in primate outbreaks—hence the name “Monkey Fever.” Other viruses listed—dengue virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus—are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause dengue or encephalitic diseases, not Kyasanur Forest disease, so they are not the causative agents of Monkey Fever.

Monkey Fever refers to Kyasanur Forest disease, a viral illness in forested regions of southern India. The causative agent is Kyasanur Forest disease virus, a flavivirus in the Flaviviridae family. This virus is maintained in nature via ticks (primarily Haemaphysalis species), with monkeys and other small mammals acting as amplifying hosts; humans contract the disease after tick bites or, less commonly, contact with infected animal tissues. The disease characteristically presents as fever with headache and body aches and can include hemorrhagic symptoms, which is why it drew attention as a forest-associated febrile illness in primate outbreaks—hence the name “Monkey Fever.” Other viruses listed—dengue virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus—are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause dengue or encephalitic diseases, not Kyasanur Forest disease, so they are not the causative agents of Monkey Fever.

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