Understanding the Chandipura Virus: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention
Gujarat faces an increase in acute encephalitis from the Chandipura virus, revealed in 1965, with 75 deaths and around 84 emergency cases since June 2024. The virus largely affects kids, and it is spread by Phlebotomus sandflies.
With dangerous symptoms and a higher fatality rate, safeguarding during its transmission periods and restricting outdoor events is required. Even cities like Pune are confirming cases of Chandipura virus disease.
The Gujarat state on Sunday (21-07-2024) reported around 13 new suspected Chandipura virus disease cases and 5 fatalities, the health department reported. With the newest additions, the number of the reported cases have climbed up to 84 and the death rate has gone up to 32 cases.
What is the Chandipura Virus?
The virus is named after the village where it was found. Chandipura virus was originally found across India in Maharashtra in 1965. Numerous outbreaks have been reported in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat.
The other occurrences when the virus was identified in humans was in the year 1980, in some parts of Madhya Pradesh from an individual suffering from encephalitis disease.
Causes of the Chandipura Virus
Chandipura Virus causes include transmission by vectors like sand flies and ticks. The Chandipura Virus is alleged to be zoonotic, meaning it instigates within animal inhabitants and can be spread to human populations.
The thorough animal reservoirs and modes of spread are still being examined, thus highlighting the necessity for enduring research and investigation.
Human infections may occur through direct or indirect interaction with -
- Sandflies
- Ticks
- Mosquitoes
Transmission of Chandipura Virus
The Chandipura virus is vector-borne, with the prospective vector believed to be the female Phlebotomine sandfly, bugs that are widespread in the initial monsoon period. A health research report even highlighted the role of Sergentomyia sandflies.
- Numerous species of mosquitoes simulated and spread this virus analytically
- Aedes aegypti, which spreads dengue, was found to be liable and could transmit the virus more quickly than others.
- No isolation of the virus from the tick had been found.
Factors Contributing and Leading to Chandipura Virus Spread
Chandipura virus disease mainly impacts kids aged between 9 months and 14 years. This hazardous disease is showcased as acute encephalitis, a massive amount of inflammation in the human brain.
- The rapid nature of this virus and its spread makes it dangerous.
- It can lead to disturbing neurological impairment
- It can even lead to death.
We at present have no explicit antiviral treatment for Chandipura virus disease. So, the higher mortality rate remains the biggest challenge.
Symptoms of the Chandipura Virus
Spotting the Chandipura virus symptoms at an initial phase is significant and can be helpful for efficient treatment measures and illness management. The development period of the virus is less, and the symptoms can be encountered suddenly. Below are the common Chandipura virus symptoms:
- High fever - The foremost indicator of infection.
- Heavy headache - The patient will have a headache, that pain that can be draining.
- Vomiting - Vomiting constantly at a recurrent rate is a communal symptom.
- Convulsions - Seizures or convulsions, chiefly seen in kids.
- Severe mental condition - A phase which commonly ranges from muddle to a coma in many cases.
- Photophobia - Sensitivity to bright light sources, leading to distress or agony in the eyes if the light sprays on the eye.
- Highly stiff neck - Symptomatic of meningeal impatience.
The headway of the disease is speedy. Sometimes, the host does not have time to comprehend what is occurring. Unusually, kids can go from primary symptoms to risky neurological problems within a shorter period. A higher quality of medical backing and care is essential to deal with the symptoms efficiently.
Chandipura Virus Prevention Tips and Recommendations
So, the question here is how to prevent the Chandipura virus. Prevention methodologies for the quick spread of this virus need control of the population of Chandipura virus sand flies. It can be attained through:
1. Insecticide Spraying
Directing the zones such as breeding grounds of sandflies and leveraging Insecticide spraying to kill the bugs that are spreading this virus quickly.
2. Right Use of Bed Nets
It is suggested to utilise bed nets, particularly in rural areas where sandflies are more predominant.
3. Wearing Covered Clothing
It is essential to ensure that any kid’s body should be completely covered, to lessen skin contact to sandfly bites.
4. Enhancing Sanitation
It is obligatory to leverage and apply sanitisation methods that will lessen the habitats where sandflies can easily breed and spread.
Public health education is even vital. Educating societies about what the Chandipura virus is is a must. People should comprehend and identify Chandipura virus symptoms in primary phases, and faster medical support can be advantageous.
The Chandipura Virus in India
As of July 22, 2024, a total of 78 AES cases have been identified, with 75 from 21 districts in the state of Gujarat. Two were reported from Rajasthan, and one was reported from Madhya Pradesh. Of these, 28 cases have led to death.
Among the 76 samples reported and tested at NIV Pune, nine have been approved positive for the Chandipura Virus.
The Indian Government and Union Health Ministry, along with healthcare specialists, are reviewing the Chandipura virus cases and Encephalitis Syndrome in infected parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
A multidisciplinary Central Team is arranged to help Gujarat and other states with precise Epidemiological, Environmental, and Laboratory investigations of these cases. Many communities have come up for hygiene, and awareness measures against this disease in diverse parts of India.
While there is no definite treatment accessible for Chandipura Virus (CHPV) and management is suggestive, timely appointment of alleged AES cases to elected facilities can enhance results.
Key Takeaways
The Chandipura virus poses a substantial public health concern in the affected regions of India. Comprehending what the Chandipura virus is, identifying the Chandipura virus symptoms, and taking steps with awareness measures can regulate the Chandipura virus disease. These initiatives are necessary for people to fight against this lethal pathogen.
The research is going on to enable precise Chandipura virus treatments and vaccines, safeguarding through vector control and facilitating disease awareness levels is the real strategy to shield our children from this fatal virus.