Six children are suspected to have died of Chandipura virus in the last five days in Aravalli district of Gujarat. The total number of suspected cases has risen to 12.

Gujarat Health Minister Rishikesh Patel said, “Five out of the six deaths occurred at the civil hospital in Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district. All the 12 samples, including the eight from Sabarkantha, have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation.”

What is Chandipura virus?

Chandipura virus, also known as Chandipura vesiculovirus (CHPV), is an RNA virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family, which also includes the rabies virus.

It was first identified in 1965 in a village called Chandipura in Maharashtra.

The virus mainly affects children and has been associated with outbreaks of acute encephalitis in India.

“The disease is caused by the sting of vector-transmitted sandflies and mainly affects children between the ages of 9 months and 14 years. It is more prevalent in rural areas. Fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and headache are the main symptoms,” Patel said.

Chandipura virus is a serious pathogen with symptoms that appear very quickly, and it mainly affects children in some areas. However, the disease is not contagious.

Due to the lack of specific antiviral treatments, early diagnosis and supportive care are important.

Preventive measures focused on controlling sand fly populations and minimizing human exposure remain the primary strategies for managing the risk of infection.

Symptoms of Chandipura virus infection

Symptoms of Chandipura virus infection can develop rapidly and include:

• Fever: Sudden high fever.
• Headache: Severe headaches are common.
• Vomiting: There may be repeated vomiting.
• Convulsions: Seizures or convulsions are a major symptom.
• Altered mental status: confusion, irritability, and changes in consciousness.
• Coma: In severe cases, the infection can lead to coma and death.

How does it spread?

Chandipura virus is primarily transmitted by the bite of infected sandflies (genus Phlebotomus). The exact mechanism of infection is not fully understood.

Vector-borne transmission: The primary mode of transmission is through sandfly bites.
Animal reservoirs: Some animal species may act as reservoirs of the virus, although this is still under investigation.
Environmental factors: Outbreaks have been linked to specific environmental conditions that favor sandfly breeding.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for Chandipura virus infection. Management mainly consists of supportive care to relieve symptoms and prevent complications:

• Hospitalization: Patients with severe symptoms, especially children, often require hospitalization.
• Hydration: It is important to ensure proper hydration, especially if vomiting is severe.
• Antipyretics: Medicines to reduce fever.
• Anticonvulsants: Used to control seizures.
• Intensive care: In case of severe neurological symptoms, intensive care may be necessary to manage respiratory and neurological complications.

Preventive Measures

Preventive measures focus on controlling sandfly populations and minimising human exposure.

• Insect repellent: Use insect repellent to reduce the risk of sandfly bites.
• Protective clothing: Wear long-sleeved clothing and use mosquito nets to avoid bites.
• Environmental control: Reducing sandfly habitats through environmental management and insecticide spraying.
• Public health awareness: Educate communities in affected areas about Chandipura virus risks and preventive measures.