The Rhabdoviridae family, which is mainly associated with viruses that cause rabies and vesicular stomatitis, includes the Chandipura virus, which was discovered for the first time in Maharashtra in 1965. The uncommon and sometimes fatal virus typically spreads during the monsoon season and produces acute encephalitis along with flu-like symptoms. There is no specific antiviral treatment for the condition, and its fatality rate is severe.
According to state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, 12 suspected instances of the Chandipura virus have already been documented, with six of those deaths occurring in Gujarat in the last five days. A Picture for Interpretation.
Six children in Gujarat are reported to have passed away in the last five days from suspected Chandipura virus infection, bringing the total number of suspected cases to twelve. This is a concerning trend. Rushikesh Patel, the health minister for Gujarat, verified this concerning scenario on Monday.
Pediatricians at the civil hospital in Himatnagar, Sabarkantha district, raised concerns about the outbreak last week after determining that four infants may have died from the Chandipura virus. Their blood samples were immediately forwarded for verification to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. Four other kids with comparable symptoms have been admitted to the hospital since then.
The hospital is now treating three patients from Aravalli, one from Mahisagar, and one from Kheda as a result of the steady increase in suspected cases. The health minister further mentioned that there are two patients from Rajasthan and one from Madhya Pradesh.
The Chandipura virus is currently receiving more attention after being identified by the World Health Organization in 2017 as a possible priority disease. What is known about the dangerous pathogen is as follows.
The Chandipura virus: what is it?
The Chandipura virus, named after the Maharashtra village where it was originally detected in 1965, is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus, closely related to viruses that cause rabies and vesicular stomatitis. It is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family.
In a 2016 review paper that was published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, scientists A.B. Sudeep, Y.K. Gurav, and V.P. Bondre claimed that the virus’s bullet-like structure is why it was given the name “Rhabdo,” which translates to “rod-shaped” in Greek.
This lesser-known virus has been found during occasional epidemics in different parts of India and other nations in Asia and Africa. It predominantly affects people, especially children.
322 children died as a result of the particularly destructive 2003–04 epidemics in central India, including 183 in Andhra Pradesh, 115 in Maharashtra, and 24 in Gujarat. According to the review paper, the death rates were startlingly high, ranging from 56% in Andhra Pradesh to 75% in Gujarat.
What signs and symptoms are present?
The Chandipura virus has a high death rate and mostly affects youngsters between the ages of 9 and 14. Humans contract it via being bitten by infected ticks, mosquitoes, and sandflies, particularly those of the species Phlebotomus papatasi and Sergentomyia.
The Chandipura virus, which mostly affects youngsters between the ages of 9 and 14, is spread to people by mosquitoes and ticks, as well as by the bite of an infected sandfly or drainfly (particularly species like Phlebotomus papatasi and Sergentomyia). Picture Source: Pixabay
The virus is characterized by an abrupt onset of symptoms similar to the flu, such as altered sensorium, vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions, and high temperature. The viral infection may cause a coma and even death in extreme circumstances. Inflammation of the active brain tissues, or encephalitis, is the main cause of mortality for the majority of infected people, according to a paper by three scientists.
The state health minister claims that although the condition is prevalent during the rainy season, especially in rural regions, it is not communicable.
The course of therapy
There isn’t a specific antiviral medication available for Chandipura virus infections at the moment. As a result, the major strategy is still supportive care, which focuses on symptom management and avoiding complications. The virus’s spread can also be halted by efficient management, which includes managing the vectors and upholding a healthy diet, standard hygiene, public awareness, and physical condition.
How is the government responding to the pandemic?
Rushikesh Patel, the minister of health, urged people to exercise care and not to become alarmed.
Aravalli’s chief district health officer, MA Siddiqui, told ANI that “50 teams have been constituted to do mass dusting.” I urge farmers to eradicate mosquitoes by applying pesticides and insecticides. It is recommended that children wear full-sleeved clothing to shield them from insects.
The state government first announced the epidemic and called for strict surveillance in the impacted districts. As of now, the minister reports that 2,093 dwellings have received insecticide spraying to reduce the sandfly population, and 18,646 persons have been screened over 4,487 houses.
In addition, Patel told PTI that the situation is under control and urged people to get help right away if their symptoms didn’t go away.
The community’s and government’s united efforts are essential to controlling the virus spread and preventing more losses as the state fights this unanticipated health disaster.
