Chandipura Virus Outbreak in Gujarat: Four Children Dead, Two Hospitalized

In Gujarat's Sabarkantha district, four children have died and two are under treatment for a suspected Chandipura virus infection. The virus causes fever and encephalitis and is transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes. Blood samples have been sent for confirmation.

In Gujarat's Sabarkantha district, four children have succumbed to a suspected infection of the Chandipura virus, according to an official statement on Saturday.

The remaining two children are receiving treatment at the civil hospital in Himmatnagar. The virus is known to cause fever and acute encephalitis, exhibiting flu-like symptoms. It belongs to the Vesiculovirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family and is typically spread through vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies.

Blood samples from all six children have been dispatched to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation, with results still pending, Chief District Health Officer Raj Sutariya informed. The outbreak has prompted local authorities to deploy teams for preventive measures, including dusting to eliminate sandflies in the affected areas.