• Source:JND
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Chandipura Virus:  Gujarat has witnessed an alarming rise in the cases of Chandipura virus, with the suspected infection claiming at least six lives in the western state. A total of 9 cases have been reported so far across four districts, Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said on Monday. More than 400 houses and 19,000 people have been screened after the scare left the state government concerned, the minister added.

While the Gujarat government has not yet confirmed the Chandipura virus as the cause behind these deaths, samples of infected patients have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune for the verification of the presence of the deadly disease among them.

Chandipura Virus: What Is It?

Chandipura virus is a rare but deadly pathogen which can cause a wide-ranging array of symptoms in the infected patient. CHPV's initial symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, flu-like symptoms, and acute encephalitis (brain inflammation). This microbe is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus from the family Rhabdoviridae. The word 'Rhabdo' signifies the rod-shaped structure of the viruses belonging to this family.

Why It Is Called Chandipura Virus?

The 'deadly' pathogen was first discovered in a village named Chandipura in Maharashtra's Nagpur. The virus was discovered in 1965 during an outbreak of encephalitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the brain.

How Chandipura Virus Spreads?

According to experts, the virus spreads through vectors such as sandflies, drainflies and ticks. This virus can also be carried by mosquitoes as they too can get infected by CHPV. In its current outbreak in Gujarat, Chandipura virus infection was mainly reported from rural areas, Health Minister Patel said.

"This disease occurs by the sting of a vector-infected sandfly and mainly affects children aged 9 months-14 years," he added.

Chandipura Virus Symptoms

Symptoms of CHPV generally start with the onset of very high fever in the patient. The fever is followed by encephalitis or the inflammation inside the brain, which can cause seizures and decreased awareness of surroundings. Some cases witness aggravated diarrhoea and vomiting after the Chandipura virus infection.

The disease has a rapid prognosis as reports suggest that infected children die between 48 to 72 hours of the initial symptoms.

Chandipura Virus Treatment

There is no known anti-viral treatment available for the Chandipura virus as of now. Treatment usually revolves around managing the symptoms and minimising brain swelling and inflammation. Decongestants such as mannitol and furosemide are given to patients to prevent swelling of the brain and to keep a check on the pressure inside the skull, HT reported.