Gandhinagar, August 28: The Chandipura virus continues to pose a serious threat in Gujarat. The state’s health department announced on Friday that there have been 42 confirmed cases and 28 deaths attributed to the virus over the past few months.
According to the latest data from the health department, 324 suspected cases have emerged since the current surveillance period began on June 30. Out of these, 42 have tested positive for the Chandipura virus, while lab results for 10 samples are still pending.
Tragically, the virus has resulted in 28 fatalities, leading to a mortality rate of approximately 66.7% among the confirmed cases. These figures reflect a concerning increase from earlier this month, when 257 suspected cases were reported on August 14, with 41 confirmed cases and 27 deaths.
On July 21, the state recorded 63 suspected cases, with 12 confirmed. In response, the health department intensified surveillance in affected areas and implemented measures to control the spread of insects that transmit the virus.
The Chandipura virus is associated with acute encephalitis syndrome, primarily affecting children. It spreads mainly through infected sandflies. Outbreaks are typically observed in certain regions of central and western India.
According to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), symptoms of this virus can include sudden high fever and neurological issues. Children under the age of 15 are particularly vulnerable.
Currently, the health department is actively monitoring and implementing preventive measures in affected areas. This includes house-to-house health checks and special campaigns to control sandfly populations.
Leave a Comment