A deadly virus is spreading fast in the state of Gujarat. Chandipura virus has already claimed loves of six children so far. Here is all you need to know about the outbreak.
A deadly virus outbreak in Gujarat has claimed six lives so far, while the total number of cases of the infection have risen to 12 according to the state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel. The Chandipura Viral Encephalitis (CHPV) is, reportedly, named after Maharashtra’s Chandipura district where the first outbreak was recorded. “Six deaths due to suspected Chandipura virus have been reported in the state, but only after results of the samples it will be clear whether they were caused by the Chandipura virus,” he said in a statement.
Patel said four of the 12 patients were from Sabarkantha district, three from Aravalli, one each from Mahisagar and Kheda in Gujarat, while two patients were from Rajasthan and one from Madhya Pradesh. They received treatment in Gujarat.
Chandipura Virus: Symptoms to Precaution
Chandipura virus causes fever, with symptoms similar to flu, and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It is transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks and sand flies. The pathogen is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae.
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Symptoms:
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Coma
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Respiratory distress
In severe cases, the person infection can fall into coma and have neurological distress as well.
Treatment and Precautions
There is no dedicated treatment for chandipura virus so far. For emergency treatment, doctors often focus on protecting the neurological part and subjective antiviral treatment. It mostly affects children. Therefore, for precautions, it is better to step out wearing full sleeves clothes. Keep the surrounding clean and avoid stagnation of water.
Focus on nutrient dense diet to boost immunity and maintain proper hygiene at all times.
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Chandipura Virus Claims 6 Lives in Gujarat
“Five out of six deaths have been reported from the civil hospital in Himatnagar in Sabarkantha district. All 12 samples, including eight of patients at the civil hospital in Sabarkantha, have been sent to Pune’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) for confirmation,” Patel said.
Paediatricians at the Himatnagar civil hospital had suspected Chandipura virus as the cause of death of four children on July 10 and sent their samples to NIV for confirmation. Later four more children at the hospital showed similar symptoms.
“Chandipura virus is not contagious. However, intensive surveillance has been undertaken in the affected areas. We have screened 18,646 persons in 4,487 houses. The health department is working round-the-clock to prevent the spread of the disease,” Patel said.
