Chandipura Virus Gujarat - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Chandipura virus is a deadly virus that belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family, which is known to cause acute encephalitis in humans.
- 2. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected sandflies, particularly the Phlebotomus species.
- 3. Chandipura virus was first isolated in 1965 from a patient in Chandipura village in Maharashtra, India. Since then, several outbreaks have been reported in India, particularly in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
- 4. The symptoms of Chandipura virus infection include fever, headache, seizures, disorientation, and coma. In severe cases, the infection can lead to death within a few days.
- 5. The virus primarily affects children, with the majority of cases reported in children under the age of 15 years.
- 6. There is no specific treatment for Chandipura virus infection, and supportive care is the mainstay of treatment. Prevention efforts focus on controlling the sandfly population and avoiding mosquito bites.
- 7. In 2019, an outbreak of Chandipura virus was reported in Gujarat, with several cases of encephalitis and deaths reported in children.
- 8. The outbreak in Gujarat was linked to the monsoon season, which creates favorable breeding conditions for sandflies.
- 9. Health authorities in Gujarat have implemented measures to control the outbreak, including vector control strategies, surveillance, and public health education campaigns.
- 10. The Chandipura virus outbreak in Gujarat serves as a reminder of the importance of vector control and surveillance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in vulnerable populations.