Which of the following viral infections is transmitted by tick?

Appeared in: HPSSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by a flavivirus.
It is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of infected hard ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis, particularly Haemaphysalis spinigera.
The disease is named after the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka, India, where it was first identified.
Monkeys and small rodents act as amplifying hosts for the virus in the wild.

Option A: Japanese Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne disease, not tick-borne. It is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes of the Culex species, which breed in rice fields.
Option B: Dengue Fever is a well-known mosquito-borne viral infection. It is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Option D: Yellow Fever is another mosquito-borne viral disease. It is transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes and Haemagogus species.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vector-borne diseases and their specific transmission routes as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating communities in endemic areas about preventing tick bites. This includes advising on wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents (like DEET), and performing regular tick checks after visiting forested areas.
Early recognition of KFD symptoms (sudden onset of fever, headache, severe muscle pain, followed by hemorrhagic symptoms) is vital for prompt treatment and management, which is primarily supportive.
A formalin-inactivated vaccine is available for KFD and is used for high-risk populations in endemic areas of India, such as forest workers and villagers.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is 'tick'.
The question asks to identify the viral infection transmitted by this specific vector.
Systematically review each option and recall or determine its primary mode of transmission.
Option A, Japanese Encephalitis, is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Option B, Dengue Fever, is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Option C, Kyasanur Forest disease, is known to be transmitted by ticks.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 2079-2081

E6 Microbiology OneStop Sastry p. 70-72

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 147-149

Practise the full HPSSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.