The vector of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in India belongs to which genus of hard ticks?
- A Ixodes
- B Dermacentor
- C Haemaphysalis ✓
- D Rhipicephalus
Correct answer: C. Haemaphysalis
Explanation
Kyasanur Forest Disease (caused by Kyasanur Forest Disease virus, a Flavivirus) is primarily transmitted by Haemaphysalis spinigera ticks in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Hard ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis are three-host ticks. Ixodes ticks transmit Lyme disease and Tick-borne encephalitis. Dermacentor transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) transmits East Coast Fever and some rickettsiae.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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