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Review
. 2020 Sep 12;8(9):1406.
doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8091406.

Kyasanur Forest Disease and Alkhurma Hemorrhagic Fever Virus-Two Neglected Zoonotic Pathogens

Bharti Bhatia  1 , Heinz Feldmann  1 , Andrea Marzi  1
Affiliations
Review

Kyasanur Forest Disease and Alkhurma Hemorrhagic Fever Virus-Two Neglected Zoonotic Pathogens

Bharti Bhatia et al. Microorganisms. .

Abstract

Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) and Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV) are tick-borne flaviviruses that cause life-threatening hemorrhagic fever in humans with case fatality rates of 3-5% for KFDV and 1-20% for AHFV, respectively. Both viruses are biosafety level 4 pathogens due to the severity of disease they cause and the lack of effective countermeasures. KFDV was discovered in India and is restricted to parts of the Indian subcontinent, whereas AHFV has been found in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In recent years, both viruses have spread beyond their original endemic zones and the potential of AHFV to spread through ticks on migratory birds is a public health concern. While there is a vaccine with limited efficacy for KFDV used in India, there is no vaccine for AHFV nor are there any therapeutic concepts to combat infections with these viruses. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about pathogenesis, vector distribution, virus spread, and infection control. We aim to bring attention to the potential public health threats posed by KFDV and AHFV and highlight the urgent need for the development of effective countermeasures.

Keywords: AHFV; KFDV; animal models; countermeasures; human disease; pathogenesis; vector distribution.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flavivirus replication cycle and genome structure. (A) Schematic of a flavivirus genome, polyprotein, and the mature viral proteins. (B) Lifecycle of a typical flavivirus.
Figure 2
Figure 2
KFD distribution in India. Areas in the south western part of India where KFD in humans and monkeys has been reported are indicated. Place, state, and year in which the first case was reported are provided. Star represents the place of the first isolation from a monkey. UK Uttar Kannada, DK Dakshina Kannada.
Figure 3
Figure 3
AHFV distribution in middle eastern countries. Yellow areas indicate human disease caused by AHFV in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Greece, Turkey, and Djibouti (depicted in green) represent the places were viral RNA was found in ticks. Place, state, and year in which the first case was reported are provided. Star represents the place of the first human case.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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