An outbreak of Chandipura virus infection has recently occurred in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
According to data from the Gujarat state health department, as of the 3rd, a total of 184 suspected cases have been reported locally, of which 35 have tested positive for the virus, with 22 deaths and 7 in critical condition. All of the above patients are children under the age of 15.
The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has dispatched a national joint epidemic response team to Gujarat to assist in outbreak investigation, epidemiological assessment, and clinical treatment.
The Indian National Centre for Disease Control said that outbreaks of this virus have periodically occurred in western and central regions of India, especially during the rainy season.
Chandipura virus, which belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family along with the rabies virus, is mainly transmitted through sandfly bites. After being infected with the Chandipura virus, patients usually exhibit symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, nausea, and fatigue. In severe cases, the virus can quickly spread to the brain, causing vomiting, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Without timely treatment, the course of the illness can progress to coma or even death within 48 to 72 hours after symptoms appear.
Currently, there are no approved antiviral drugs or vaccines against the Chandipura virus.