Chandipura virus kills kids in India. Expert reveals details about this deadly virus
Chandipura virus
Eightchildren died reportedly due to the Chandipura virus in India since July 10, with the total number of suspected infections rising to 14. The deaths have been reported in the Aaravalli district in the west Indian state of Gujarat.
State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel on Tuesday (Jul 16) said, "Cases have been reported from Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Kheda, Mehsana and Rajkot districts. Additionally, two patients from Rajasthan and one from Madhya Pradesh received treatment in Gujarat. Eight deaths have been reported, but confirmation is pending based on sample results."
Patel on Monday said that samples of the patients have been sent to Pune's National Institute of Virology (NIV) for confirmation.
Deaths because of any virus, especially when children are concerned, cause panic among people. Hence, WION reached out to experts to learn more about the Chandipura virus and preventive measures.
What is the Chandipura virus?
The name of the virus, which is also known as Chandipura vesiculovirus (CHPV), is based on a village in Maharashtra state, where the first case of this infection was diagnosed in 1965. It is an RNA virus. The pathogen is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae.
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What are the symptoms?
Chandipura virus causes fever and symptoms that are similar to flu and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It is transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies. Experts have noted that the primary vectors are sandflies, which can live in cracksin walls and in portions of mud- or sand-built dwellings.
Dr Ankita Baidya, Consultant,Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, Delhi shared details about this virus with WION.
She weighed in on the symptoms and said,"This virus initially causes fever, vomiting, loose motion, and other viral-like symptoms, but in addition, it also causes swelling in the brain called encephalitis, leading toconvulsions, altered sensorium, delusion, unconsciousness episodes and seizures."
"So all these symptoms can be there because of the involvement of the brain with this virus," she explained.Notably, the virusdoes not transfer from person to person and is not contagious.
Who is at risk?
The primary targets of this virus are children between the ages of 9 months and 14 years.Dr Baidya said that children are more susceptible because they play outside, and the disease is acquired through the bite of mosquitoes, sand flies or ticks.
In the rainy season, the chances of spreading the virus are on the higher side because of more mosquito breeding sites.
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Are there any preventive measures?
Dr Baidya revealed that the symptoms are treated as per supportive care as there is no dedicated anti-viral as such for this virus.
Currently, there is no preventive vaccine for this. The only method to prevent this virus spread is using effective mosquito control measures and preventing mosquito bites, she added.
She further said that wearing loose and covered clothes will help. Mosquito repellents must also be used.
Local authorities should focus on sanitisation becauseit is important to prevent mosquito bites by controlling thebreeding sites.
Insecticide spraying, telling kids to wear long sleeves, using bed nets when sleeping, and maintaining a clean environment will help in controlling the infectious disease.