
AKIPRESS.COM - A surge in acute encephalitis caused by Chandipura virus is observed in Gujarat, India, the Times of India reports.
Gujarat on Sunday reported 13 fresh suspected Chandipura virus cases and five fatalities, the state health department said. With the latest additions, the tally of the confirmed and suspected infections in the state has gone up to 84 so far, while the death toll climbed to 32.
In 2003-2004, similar outbreaks in Central India witnessed case fatality rates ranging from 56-75 per cent.
Chandipura virus was first identified in India in Maharashtra's Nagpur district in 1965. Several outbreaks have been reported in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Gujarat in the past.
Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) Chief Dr Vasant Khalatkar said that diagnosing the virus can be challenging. The disease primarily affects children under 15 years of age.
The virus is mostly transmitted through sandflies, particularly Phlebotomus species. This disease is endemic in parts of India, with sporadic outbreaks reported mainly during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons when sandfly populations peak.
Chandipura virus disease manifests with a rapid onset of symptoms, including high fever, headache, convulsions, and altered sensorium. These symptoms can progress to neurological complications such as seizures, coma, and even death.
Staying safe from the virus primarily involves preventive measures focused on avoiding sandfly bites, the primary mode of transmission.