Chandipura Virus Gujarat: The Chandipura Virus scare is intensifying in Gujarat as 37 cases of the deadly disease were laboratory confirmed till Friday in the state. The state government has taken a lot of steps to control the disease, Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said. The minister further said that a total of 133 cases of Chandipura Virus disease have been registered in the state so far.
Chandipura virus is a rare but 'deadly' pathogen which can cause a wide-ranging array of symptoms in the infected patient. Its initial symptoms include fever, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, and acute encephalitis (brain inflammation).
"About 133 cases have been registered so far. Of these, 37 cases are confirmed for Chandipura and the remaining cases can't be spoken of as confirmed, as far as the symptoms are concerned. We can't call them Acute Viral Syndrome for certain," Patel said while speaking on the rising cases of Chandipura virus at a press conference.
"Acute Viral Syndrome occurs every year but the number has gone up this year. The State Government has taken a lot of initiatives for this...," the minister added.
Chief Minister Takes Stock
Earlier in this, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed the Chandipura Virus outbreak situation in the state. He had issued instructions and took stock of the measures taken to control the disease.
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Ten Deaths Reported So Far
Addressing the media on Thursday, Additional Director of Gujarat Health Department, Nilam Patel informed that a total of 10 patients have died of the Chandipura Virus infection.
"Six of these cases are from out of Gujarat - three from Rajasthan, two from MP and one from Maharashtra. We have prepared all doctors and field staff due to which surveillance is going well. Overall, 40 deaths have occurred so far - of these, 10 are confirmed cases of Chandipura," the officer had said.