Suspected Chandipura Virus Outbreak In Gujarat Kills 6 Kids

With 6 more deaths in Chandipura virus outbreak in Gujarat the death toll has risen to 12 in the last 5 days, according to the information shared  by the Health Minister of Gujarat Rushikesh Patel.

“Of the 12 patients, four are from Sabarkantha district, three from Aravalli, and one each from Mahisagar and Kheda. Additionally, two patients from Rajasthan and one from Madhya Pradesh received treatment in Gujarat. Six deaths have been reported, but confirmation is pending based on sample results,” Patel said.

Authorities have sent all 12 samples to National Institute of Virology, Pune for verification. 8 of 12 samples are from Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. The civil hospital Himatnagar of the district have witnessed maximum cases. Minister advised public of caution ensuring them that there is no need of panic.

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“Over 400 houses and 19,000 people have been screened for the virus. Chandipura is not a new virus. It mainly affects children aged 9 months to 14 years and is more prevalent in rural areas. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and headache,” he said.

Patel said that in Gujarat, authorities have registered nine cases across four districts, with three cases involving individuals from other states residing in Gujarat.

The virus is member of Vesiculovirus genus in the Rhabdoviridae family. Vectors like mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies spreads the virus. It causes fever with flu-like symptoms and acute encephalitis.

In 2003 there was a major epidemic in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra that killed 329 afflicted children. In 2004, Gujarat also reported sporadic incidents of fatalities.

As it is about current Chandipura virus outbreak , pediatricians at Himatnagar Civil Hospital sent samples to NIV for confirmation after the deaths of four kids on July 10. Later, four more kids exhibited the same symptoms.