What is Chandipura virus

The Chandipura virus is an arbovirus belonging to the Vesiculovirus genus in the Rhabdoviridae family. First discovered in 1965 in the Chandipura village of Maharashtra, it is transmitted by vectors such as phlebotomine sandflies, mosquitoes, and ticks.

A four-year-old girl from Mota Kanthariya village in Aravalli district, Gujarat, has died due to the Chandipura-virus (CHPV), 

marking the first fatality from this virus in the state, according to a health department official.  

She passed away at the civil hospital in Himatnagar, Sabarkantha district. In addition to her case, 

14 other patients have died from suspected CHPV, with Gujarat reporting a total of 29 cases so far.

Common symptoms of Chandipura virus infection include: – Severe headache – Sudden onset of high fever – Frequent vomiting – In some cases, coma, and death – Convulsions or seizure

Symptom

Prevention

– Avoid sandfly bites by wearing full-sleeved clothing and using bed nets while sleeping. – Apply insect repellents to lower the chances of being bitten by sandflies. – Maintain clean surroundings to eliminate potential sandfly breeding grounds.

Treatment

– Hospitalization: Patients with severe symptoms need to be hospitalized. – Hydration: Ensuring proper hydration is important, especially for those with severe vomiting. – Intensive Care: Severe neurological symptoms may require intensive care to manage respiratory and neurological complications.