Chandipura virus: Centre deploys multi-agency team to Gujarat, Rajasthan

The Union health ministry has stepped up its response to the Chandipura virus outbreak, deploying a multi-agency National Joint Outbreak Response Team to Gujarat and Rajasthan. The move comes as the viral infection, which primarily affects children, has claimed at least 22 lives in Gujarat during the ongoing monsoon season.

The team, comprising epidemiologists, entomologists, and public health specialists from central institutes, will assist state authorities in case surveillance, vector control, and community awareness. Officials said the deployment aims to contain the spread and identify any unusual patterns in transmission.

What is the Chandipura virus?

Chandipura virus is a mosquito-borne viral infection named after a village in Maharashtra, where it was first isolated in 1965. It belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family and is transmitted primarily by sandflies and mosquitoes. The virus causes acute encephalitis—inflammation of the brain—and can progress rapidly, especially in children under 15.

Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, convulsions, altered consciousness, and in severe cases, coma. The disease has a high fatality rate, and there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine. Management is supportive, focusing on fever control, hydration, and neurological care.

Gujarat on high alert

Gujarat's health machinery has been placed on high alert following the outbreak. District hospitals and primary health centres have been directed to maintain stockpiles of essential medicines, fluids, and equipment for managing encephalitis cases. Rapid response teams have been formed at the block level to ensure early referral of suspected cases.

Health officials are also intensifying fogging and insecticide spraying in affected areas, particularly around homes and schools. Community health workers have been tasked with door-to-door surveillance to detect fever cases early and refer them for testing.

Multi-institutional probe intensifies

The National Joint Outbreak Response Team is coordinating with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and state health departments. The probe is examining clinical samples, vector ecology, and environmental factors that may have contributed to the outbreak.

Investigators are also looking into the geographical clustering of cases, seasonal patterns, and whether the virus has mutated to become more transmissible or virulent. Preliminary findings have not been officially released, but such multi-institutional teams typically provide interim reports within weeks.

What parents should watch for

Doctors emphasise that early recognition is critical. If a child develops high fever with headache, vomiting, or altered behaviour during monsoon months, they should be taken to a healthcare facility immediately. Delays in treatment can lead to rapid neurological deterioration.

Preventive measures include using mosquito nets and repellents, wearing full-sleeved clothing, and eliminating stagnant water around homes where sandflies breed. Schools in affected districts have been advised to ensure sanitation and screen children for fever.

The outbreak has renewed focus on strengthening vector-borne disease surveillance in rural and tribal belts, where healthcare access is limited. Public health experts argue that a robust surveillance system is the first line of defence against such outbreaks.

As the monsoon continues, the Centre and states are likely to expand testing and intensify containment measures. Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of suspected cases across both states, and further updates are expected as the probe progresses.