Chandipura virus claims life of 22 children in Gujarat, 7 currently under treatment

New Delhi: The Chandipura virus has claimed the lives of 22 children in Gujarat during the current monsoon season, with 35 confirmed infections reported among 184 suspected cases so far, state Health Minister Praful Panseriya said on Monday. Meanwhile test results for 11 suspected samples are still pending.

At present, seven children who tested positive for the virus are undergoing treatment at civil hospitals across the state, while six patients have recovered and have been discharged.

The children receiving treatment are admitted to government hospitals in Gandhinagar, Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Patan, Rajkot and Bhavnagar, where they are being treated under the supervision of specialist doctors, Panseriya said.

What is Chandipura virus?

Chandipura virus is an uncommon viral infection that belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family under the Vesiculovirus genus. It was first detected in 1965 after two adults suffering from a fever-like illness tested positive for the virus in a village near Nagpur in Maharashtra. Research, including findings published in The Lancet, suggests that the primary carrier of the virus is the female phlebotomine sandfly. However, studies by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune have also shown that mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, are capable of transmitting the virus.

People infected with Chandipura virus typically develop symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. In more severe cases, patients may also experience diarrhoea and high fever. The infection has been linked to encephalitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the brain that can progress rapidly, especially in children.

There is currently no specific antiviral medication to treat Chandipura virus infection, making supportive medical care the primary form of treatment. Health experts recommend focusing on prevention by reducing exposure to insects that spread the virus. Measures such as insecticide spraying to control sandflies, sleeping under mosquito nets, wearing full-sleeved protective clothing and spreading public awareness about the disease can help lower the risk of infection.