Central team reviews Chandipura virus situation in Gujarat, other states

Delhi: The Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Union Health Ministry, along with experts, reviewed Chandipura virus and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. A multidisciplinary central team from NCDC, ICMR, and DAHD has been deployed to assist Gujarat with epidemiological, environmental, and laboratory investigations of AES cases. The review identified vector control, hygiene, and awareness as key measures against these diseases.

Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, DGHS, Union Health Ministry, and Director of NCDC, along with experts from AIIMS, Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital, and NIMHANS, as well as officials from Central and State surveillance units, reviewed the status of the Chandipura virus and AES cases. They concluded that infectious agents contribute to only a small proportion of AES cases across the country and emphasized the need for comprehensive epidemiological, environmental, and entomological studies in Gujarat.

Chandipura Virus (CHPV) is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family, known to cause sporadic cases and outbreaks in western, central, and southern parts of the country, especially during the monsoon season. It is transmitted by vectors such as sand flies and ticks.

AES, caused by various viruses, bacteria, and other agents, mostly affects children under 15 years and can present with a febrile illness that may result in death. There is no specific treatment for CHPV, and management is symptomatic. Timely referral of suspected AES cases to designated facilities can improve outcomes.

Since early June 2024, Gujarat has reported 78 AES cases in children under 15 years. As of July 20, 2024, 75 cases are from 21 districts/corporations in Gujarat, 2 from Rajasthan, and 1 from Madhya Pradesh, with 28 resulting in death. Among the 76 samples tested at NIV Pune, 9 have been confirmed positive for Chandipura Virus, all from Gujarat, with 5 associated deaths.