India, Feb. 17 -- The Karnataka government has announced that free treatment for Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), commonly known as monkey fever, will now be available to all affected patients, regardless of their economic status. Initially limited to families below the poverty line (BPL), the facility has now been extended to those above the poverty line (APL) as well.

"Members of APL families affected by KFD will now receive free treatment at hospitals registered under the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust. This initiative will benefit hundreds of families," said health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Highlighting the government's response to the outbreak, the minister said that a vaccine for KFD is currently under development at the Indian Coun...