Climate change is significantly impacting the epidemiology of Kyasanur
Forest Disease [KFD], a viral tick-borne hemorrhagic fever indigenous to India's
Western Ghats area. Alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns directly affect
the survival, development, and activity of Haemaphysalis spinigera, the primary vector
for KFDV, as well as the distribution and behavior of animal hosts. Warmer and more
humid conditions, driven by climate change, create favorable environments for tick
proliferation, potentially expanding their geographical range and increasing human-tick
interactions. Deforestation and habitat fragmentation also exacerbate the situation by
disrupting the balance between vectors, hosts, and humans. This environmental
degradation forces animal reservoirs, such as monkeys, and human populations into
closer touch, heightening the risk of virus transmission. Seasonal variations play a
crucial role, with KFD incidence peaking during the drier, hotter months when tick
activity is at its highest. The annual transmission cycle in regions like Shivamogga
district shows cases emerging in January, peaking in March, and declining by June,
with a resurgence in November, demonstrating a clear link between climate patterns
and disease spread. Understanding the intricate relationship between climate change,
tick ecology, and KFD transmission is essential for developing effective public health
strategies and alleviating future outbreaks. This chapter underscores the urgent need for
integrated approaches to address the complex interplay of environmental changes and
disease dynamics.
Keywords: Climate change, Diapause, Haemaphysalis spinigera, Kyasanur forest disease, Precipitation patterns, Tick.
