On Friday, the cases of Acute Encephalitis syndrome and Chandipura virus in three states were assessed by experts and the Union health ministry. The health minister stated in a release that Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), evaluated the cases in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh alongside specialists from AIIMS, Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital, NIMHANS, and other national and state surveillance departments.
Throughout the three states, 78 AES cases involving children under the age of 15 have been documented since June 2024; Gujarat has accounted for the majority of both cases and fatalities.
Nine of the 76 samples that NIV Pune analyzed turned out to be positive for the Chandipura virus (CHPV); these samples were all from Gujarat. Five of the 28 deaths caused by the outbreak have been related to CHPV.
Nonetheless, the specialists came to the conclusion that a very small percentage of AES cases nationwide are caused by infectious organisms. They stressed the importance of conducting thorough entomological, environmental, and epidemiological investigations on the AES cases that have been recorded in Gujarat.
On Thursday, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed the current status of suspected cases of viral encephalitis and the Chandipura virus and measures taken to control the spread of the diseases in the state. Patel said the state government will launch a mega drive in every taluka for vector control and containment of the Chandipura virus and viral encephalitis.
Chandipura virus, a member of the Rhabdoviridae family, is known to cause outbreaks in western, central, and southern India, particularly during the monsoon season. It is transmitted through vectors such as sand flies and ticks. With no specific treatment available, preventive measures and early detection remain crucial.
Vector control, hygiene, and public awareness have been identified as critical measures in combating the spread of these diseases, which primarily affect children and can result in severe illness or death. The health ministry emphasizes the importance of timely referral and symptomatic management of suspected AES cases to improve patient outcomes.
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Source: HT
