Virology: Kyasanur forest disease: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Virology: Kyasanur forest disease

Sample item

A forest worker in the Western Ghats of Karnataka has high fever, severe myalgia and bleeding, after dead monkeys were found in the forest. What is the vector of this infection?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Haemaphysalis spinigera tick

Kyasanur forest disease is a tick-borne flavivirus infection of Karnataka and neighbouring states, spread by hard ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis, mainly H. spinigera. Monkey deaths mark epizootics, and humans are infected during forest work. A formalin-inactivated vaccine is used in endemic areas.

Option by option

  • A. Haemaphysalis spinigera tick (correct)

    Correct. Haemaphysalis ticks transmit the virus from monkeys and small mammals.

  • B. Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito

    Culex tritaeniorhynchus transmits Japanese encephalitis.

  • C. Xenopsylla cheopis flea

    Xenopsylla cheopis, the rat flea, transmits plague and murine typhus.

  • D. Phlebotomus argentipes sandfly

    Phlebotomus argentipes transmits kala-azar.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Haemaphysalis spinigera tick. Kyasanur forest disease is a tick-borne flavivirus infection of Karnataka and neighbouring states, spread by hard ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis, mainly H.

Why is "Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito" not the answer?

Culex tritaeniorhynchus transmits Japanese encephalitis.

Why is "Xenopsylla cheopis flea" not the answer?

Xenopsylla cheopis, the rat flea, transmits plague and murine typhus.

Why is "Phlebotomus argentipes sandfly" not the answer?

Phlebotomus argentipes transmits kala-azar.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: Kyasanur forest disease in Microbiology. spinigera. Monkey deaths mark epizootics, and humans are infected during forest work. A formalin-inactivated vaccine is used in endemic areas.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Virology: Kyasanur forest disease?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.