The Chandipura virus has once again raised serious health concerns in Gujarat after two young girls lost their lives within 24 hours. The latest deaths have been reported from Kheda and Mehsana districts, prompting the Health Department to step up surveillance and preventive measures in the affected areas.
Health officials have urged parents to remain alert, as the virus mainly affects children and can rapidly progress to a life-threatening brain infection if treatment is delayed.
Nine-Year-Old Girl Dies in Kheda District
The latest victim is a nine-year-old girl from Sapala village in Mahudha Taluka of Kheda district, who died early Wednesday morning while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ahmedabad.
According to health officials, the girl was initially taken for medical care after she developed symptoms associated with the Chandipura virus. Due to the seriousness of her condition, she was referred to a hospital in Ahmedabad, where she later tested positive for the virus. Despite receiving treatment, she could not be saved.
Following confirmation of the case, a Health Department team led by Taluka Health Officer Dr. Dhrumil Parikh and the District Epidemiology Officer visited Sapala village to assess the situation and prevent further spread of the infection.
The authorities immediately launched dusting operations and began door-to-door surveillance in the village to identify anyone showing symptoms and to control the spread of the disease.
Speaking about the case, Dr. Dhrumil Parikh said the girl had tested positive for the Chandipura virus and died during treatment in Ahmedabad. He added that all necessary preventive measures are being carried out in the village.
Four-Year-Old Girl Dies in Mehsana
In another tragic incident, a four-year-old girl from Delvada village in Bechraji Taluka of Mehsana district died late Tuesday night while receiving treatment at Vadnagar Civil Hospital.
According to her family, the child was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Mehsana on July 26 after she became unconscious. She tested positive for the Chandipura virus the following day, July 27.
As her condition continued to worsen, doctors shifted her to Vadnagar Civil Hospital for advanced treatment. However, despite medical efforts, she passed away during treatment on Tuesday night.
Her death marks the second Chandipura-related death in Mehsana district within the last ten days.
Mehsana Reports Three Confirmed Cases
Health officials said that eight suspected cases of the Chandipura virus have been reported in Mehsana district so far. Out of these:
Three children tested positive for the virus.
Five children tested negative after laboratory testing.
Among the three confirmed cases, two children have died, while another child has recovered.
Officials also confirmed that two other children from Visnagar and neighbouring Sabarkantha district have fully recovered after receiving timely treatment.
Earlier this month, on July 19, a seven-year-old girl from Shahpur in Vadnagar also died after being infected with the Chandipura virus.
How the Chandipura Virus Spreads
The Chandipura virus is primarily spread through the bite of infected sandflies. Unlike many common viral infections, it can affect the brain within a very short period.
Doctors say the virus can rapidly lead to encephalitis, a serious condition that causes inflammation of the brain. Because the disease progresses quickly, early diagnosis and immediate medical treatment are extremely important.
Children are considered the most vulnerable to the infection.
Symptoms Parents Should Watch For
Health experts have advised parents to seek medical attention immediately if a child develops any of the following symptoms:
Sudden high fever
Severe headache
Continuous vomiting
Seizures or fits
Sudden changes in behaviour
Loss of consciousness or a semi-conscious condition
Doctors warn that these symptoms can develop within just a few hours. Even a mild fever should not be ignored if it is accompanied by any unusual signs, especially during the monsoon season.
Health Department Issues Preventive Advisory
To reduce the risk of infection, the Health Department has urged people to take simple but effective preventive measures at home and in their surroundings. Residents have been advised to:
Keep the surroundings clean and free from garbage, mud and stagnant water.
Dress children in full-sleeved cotton clothing that covers as much of the body as possible.
Ensure children sleep under mosquito nets during both the day and night.
Spray insecticides on unplastered walls, cracks and crevices where sandflies may breed.
Authorities Urge Parents to Stay Alert
With two children losing their lives within a single day and several cases reported in recent weeks, health officials are closely monitoring the situation across Gujarat.
The Health Department has intensified surveillance, awareness campaigns and vector-control measures in affected villages. Officials have appealed to parents not to ignore fever or neurological symptoms in children and to seek immediate medical care, as early treatment remains the best chance of preventing severe complications from the Chandipura virus.
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