Chandipura virus — which is transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies — causes fever, with symptoms similar to flu, and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Chandipura Virus: A total of 28 children under the age of 14 have succumbed to the deadly Chandipura virus in Gujarat since the first case of the lethal pathogen was reported in the state in July this year, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said Wednesday.
Patel, while responding to a ‘short notice question’ by AAP MLA Umesh Makwana, informed the state legislative assembly that 164 cases of viral encephalitis, caused by certain pathogens including the Chandipura virus, have been reported in Gujarat so far, with 101 children succumbing to the infection.
Of these 164 cases detected so far, 61 were caused by the Chandipura virus, of which 28 kids have succumbed to the deadly infection, the health minister informed.
“So far, 101 children under the age of 14 have died due to acute encephalitis. Of these, 28 have died due to Chandipura virus infection, while 73 succumbed to encephalitis caused by other viral infections,” Patel informed the House.
The minister said the sandfly, which carries the Chandipura virus, lives in the cracks of mud houses that are very common in the hinterland.
He informed that 63 children were discharged after treatment, while four were still under medical care, asserting that situation in the state is now under control as no fresh cases have been reported in the past week and no death has reported for the last 12 days.
Patel informed that the state government has launched a drive across the state for vector control and containment of the Chandipura virus, under which over 53,000 houses have been surveyed by health teams in areas where viral encephalitis and Chandipura cases had emerged.
Malathion powder, a pesticide, has been sprinkled in over 7 lakh mud houses in villages for disease control, he said, adding that liquid pesticide was also sprayed in nearly 1.58 lakh houses, he said.
Since children are more vulnerable to this virus, Malathion powder and liquid pesticide were also sprayed in nearly 40,000 schools and over 36,000 Anganwadis in affected districts, the minister said.
Patel said that the Gandhinagar-based Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) is conducting a research to find out the virus other than Chindipura that caused encephalitis and claimed children’s lives.
Chandipura virus — which is transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies — causes fever, with symptoms similar to flu, and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
(With inputs from agencies)