A deadly virus is spreading rapidly in the state of Gujarat. Chandipura Virus has claimed to have loved six children so far. Here's what you need to know about the outbreak.

A deadly virus outbreak in Gujarat has claimed six lives so far, taking the total number of infections to 12, according to state health minister Rushikesh Patel. Chandipura viral encephalitis (CHPV) is named after Chandipura district in Maharashtra where the first outbreak was reported. “Six deaths due to Chandipura virus have been reported in the state, but only after the results of the samples will it be clear whether they are due to Chandipura virus or not,” he said in a statement.

Patel said that of the 12 patients, four are from Sabarkantha district, three from Aravalli, one each from Mahisagar and Kheda in Gujarat, while two patients are from Rajasthan and one from Madhya Pradesh. He was treated in Gujarat.

Chandipura Virus: Warning Symptoms

Chandipura virus causes fever, flu-like symptoms and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It is transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks and sand flies. The pathogen is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus in the Rhabdoviridae family.

Symptoms:

• fever
• headache
• Vomiting
• confiscation
• Coma
• muscle pain (myalgia)
• Abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• Respiratory inflammation, pneumonia

In severe cases, the person may go into an infected coma and may also experience neurological disturbances.

Treatment and precautions

There is no dedicated treatment for Chandipura virus so far. For emergency treatment, doctors often focus on neurological episodes and subjective antiviral treatment. It mainly affects children. So, as a precaution, it is better to go out in full outer clothing. Keep the surrounding area clean and avoid water accumulation.

Focus on nutrient dense diet to boost immunity and always maintain proper hygiene.

Chandipura virus has claimed 6 lives in Gujarat

“Five out of six deaths have been reported at the Civil Hospital at Himatnagar in Sabarkantha district. All 12 samples, including eight patients from the civil hospital in Sabarkantha, have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation,” said Patel.

Pediatricians at the Himatnagar Civil Hospital had suspected Chandipura virus as the cause of death of the four children on July 10 and had sent their samples to the NIV for confirmation. Four more children at the hospital later developed similar symptoms.

“The Chandipura virus is not contagious. However, intensive surveillance has been maintained in the affected areas. We have screened 18,646 persons in 4,487 households. The health department is working round the clock to prevent the spread of this disease,” said Patel.