Gujarat Chandipura outbreak: 22 children dead, state ramps up containment measures
At least 22 children have died from Chandipura virus (CHPV) infection in Gujarat during this monsoon season, while seven others are currently receiving treatment, State Health Minister Praful Panseriya said on Monday.
Addressing the media, Mr. Panseriya said the state has so far recorded 184 suspected cases of the viral infection. Of these, 35 have tested positive, while results of 11 samples are still awaited. All affected patients are below 15 years of age.
The Minister said children admitted to civil hospitals in Gandhinagar, Himmatnagar, Patan, Rajkot and Bhavnagar are receiving specialised treatment. Doctors are closely monitoring their conditions, he added.
Mr. Panseriya clarified that cases have been reported from various parts of the state and are not concentrated in any particular village, allaying concerns about a localized outbreak.
To contain the spread of the virus, health teams have begun pesticide spraying in areas with animal husbandry activities, targeting sandflies, which are known to transmit the virus. The Health Department has also instructed all government and private paediatric hospitals to immediately admit children showing symptoms of the infection to intensive care units with oxygen and ventilator support. This is aimed at preventing complications such as multiple organ failure.
Chandipura encephalitis is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain. It is primarily spread by sandflies and other insects. The virus was first identified in 1965 in Chandipura village in Maharashtra's Nagpur district. Early symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, and altered mental status, which can rapidly progress to seizures and coma in severe cases.
Health experts stress that timely hospitalization and supportive care are crucial in managing the disease. Since there is no specific antiviral treatment for Chandipura virus, medical care focuses on relieving symptoms and providing life support if needed.
The state government has urged parents to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if their children develop fever, headache, or neurological symptoms, especially in rural areas where sandfly exposure is more common.
Officials said the containment measures are being continuously reviewed, and community awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate people about preventive steps, such as using insect repellents, sleeping under mosquito nets, and maintaining cleanliness in and around homes to reduce sandfly breeding grounds.
The latest updates on the outbreak will be provided as more test results are received, the Health Minister added.
