Chandipura Virus Outbreak In Gujarat: TN Health Officials On High Alert

In light of the Chandipura Virus encephalitis outbreak among children in Gujarat, the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Tamil Nadu has instructed district health officers to enhance both field and hospital surveillance and to implement mosquito control measures.

To date, there have been 20 reported cases of Chandipura Viral Encephalitis (CHPV), including eight confirmed deaths, with two fatalities occurring in Ahmedabad. Additionally, 35 individuals showing symptoms are currently hospitalized in various civil hospitals across the districts.

Dr TS Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health, has instructed officials to conduct information, education, and communication activities to prevent public panic. He emphasized that all suspected cases should be referred to tertiary care centers.

The Chandipura virus causes fever, flu-like symptoms, and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It belongs to the Vesiculovirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family and is primarily spread by Phlebotomine sand flies, but can also be transmitted through ticks and mosquitoes.

During the 2003-2004 outbreaks in central India, the disease had case fatality rates ranging from 56 percent to 75 percent in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, presenting with typical encephalitic symptoms.