Chandipura Virus Claims One in Gujarat, Five Cases Reported

Chandipura virus causes fever and the symptoms similar to those of flu, and acute encephalitis

(Photo: Facebook/UNICEF India)

The recent death of a five-year-old girl in Gujarat has been attributed to Chandipura virus, a state government medical officer said on Tuesday, 16 July.

Blood test reports of the victim confirmed that she succumbed to the infection caused by Chandipura virus, said chief district health officer, Dr Uday Tilavat.

The girl, a resident of Bhayli village on outskirts of the city, was admitted to hospital attached to Gotri Medical College on June 28.

"Though she was given treatment for the advanced-stage viral infection, she died on 30 June during treatment," said Dr Tilavat.

Five Cases Have Been Reported in Vadodara, Gujarat Say Officials

"We had sent her blood samples to Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV). The report received by us recently suggested that she was infected by Chandipura virus," he said, adding that five such cases have been reported from various parts of Vadodara district in the last few days.

He said these patients are now doing well after receiving proper treatment.

“The infection spreads through sandfly. We have deployed our rapid response teams to conduct preventive measures, including dusting to kill sand flies, in Bhayli and other areas.”

Said one official.

Chandipura virus causes fever and the symptoms similar to those of flu, and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

The virus is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae.

(This story is auto-published from a syndicated feed. Only the image has been altered by FIT)