The Chandipura virus outbreak in Gujarat has tragically resulted in the deaths of 28 children under the age of 14 since the first case was reported in July, as confirmed by Health Minister Rushikesh Patel during a State Legislative Assembly session on Wednesday.
Chandipura Virus Impact and Response:
In response to a query from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Umesh Makwana, the health minister disclosed that the state has recorded 164 cases of viral encephalitis, with 101 children losing their lives to the infection.
Among these, 61 cases have been specifically attributed to the Chandipura virus, a pathogen known for causing fever, flu-like symptoms, and severe brain inflammation. The virus is primarily spread through vectors such as mosquitoes and sandflies.
Minister Patel assured the Assembly that the situation is currently under control, noting that no new cases have been reported in the past week and no deaths have occurred in the last 12 days.
Initial Cases and Government Action:
The Gujarat government confirmed its first fatality from the Chandipura virus on July 17, following the death of a four-year-old child from Mota Kanthariya in Aravalli, who succumbed to the virus earlier in the month at a government hospital in Sabarkantha.
In addressing the outbreak, the health minister emphasized the role of sandflies, which typically inhabit the cracks and crevices of mud houses prevalent in rural areas of Gujarat. The state government has initiated a comprehensive vector control and containment drive to counter the virus.
Containment Measures:
As part of these efforts, health teams have surveyed over 53,000 houses in affected regions and applied Malathion powder, a pesticide, to more than 7 lakh mud houses in various villages.
Additionally, liquid pesticide spraying has been carried out in nearly 1.58 lakh houses. Recognizing the heightened risk to children, the authorities have extended these preventive measures to approximately 40,000 schools and over 36,000 Anganwadi centers in the impacted districts.
Background on Chandipura Virus:
The Chandipura virus, first identified in 1965 in Chandipura, a village in Maharashtra, belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family and is closely related to the vesicular stomatitis virus.
It is mainly transmitted to humans through the bites of infected sandflies, though other insects may also contribute to its spread. The virus has been sporadically reported in various parts of India, with previous outbreaks documented in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
The Gujarat government continues to monitor the situation closely and is dedicated to ensuring the safety and health of its citizens through ongoing surveillance and containment efforts.
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