Research Paper: None of my ancestors ever discussed this disease before

There is widespread consensus that smallholder farmer and tribal communities are highly vulnerable to zoonotic diseases (illness passed between animals and people). This is largely due to their relatively poor access to healthcare and closeness to sources of disease risks. Although access to relevant and timely disease information could enhance their adaptive capacity, remain difficult and poorly understood.

Drawing on survey data and in-depth interviews in two affected districts (Shimoga and Wayanad); we explored the role of disease information in shaping adaptation to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever.

We found that despite the limited awareness about KFD, access to disease information improved households’ likelihood to implement adaptation strategies as compared to households that had no access to it. Households identified several barriers to implementation of adaptation strategies including, lack of disease information, low efficacy of existing vaccine, distrust, religio-cultural sentiments, and livelihood concerns.

Our findings highlight the relevance of contextualising disease information and implementing interventions in a participatory manner in order to strengthen households’ adaptive capacity to KFD and other neglected endemic zoonoses.