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Gujarat, India – In a developing health crisis, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel announced on Monday that six children have succumbed to suspected Chandipura virus infections over the past five days. The number of confirmed cases has risen to 12, sparking concern across several districts and neighboring states.
“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 have received treatment in Gujarat. Six deaths have been reported, but confirmation is pending based on sample results,” stated Patel.
The civil hospital in Himatnagar, located in Sabarkantha district, has reported most of the fatalities. All 12 samples, including eight from Sabarkantha, have been dispatched to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for verification.
Minister Patel assured the public that while there is no need to panic, vigilance is essential. “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, diarrhea, and headache. A doctor should be consulted if these symptoms are observed,” he advised.
In Gujarat, nine cases have been registered across four districts, with three cases involving individuals from other states who were residing in Gujarat. Patel emphasized that although six deaths have been reported, it is too early to confirm if they were directly caused by the Chandipura virus.
Chandipura virus, a member of the Vesiculovirus genus in the Rhabdoviridae family, causes fever with flu-like symptoms and acute encephalitis, a severe inflammation of the brain. It is transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. First identified in 1965 in Maharashtra, the virus has been linked to various outbreaks of encephalitic illness in the country, with a significant outbreak in 2003 in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra resulting in 183 deaths among 329 affected children. Sporadic cases and fatalities were also noted in Gujarat in 2004.
Paediatricians at Himatnagar Civil Hospital suspected the virus after four children died on July 10 and subsequently sent their samples to NIV for confirmation. Four additional children later exhibited similar symptoms.
Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation as they await confirmation of the virus from NIV. In the meantime, public health measures are being ramped up to contain the outbreak and prevent further casualties.
