Gujarat is witnessing a fresh outbreak of the Chandipura virus during this monsoon season, with 22 suspected child deaths reported so far. The state government has confirmed that 35 children have tested positive for the virus out of 184 suspected cases, while 11 test reports are still awaited.
Health Minister Praful Panseriya shared the latest update on Monday, saying the government has stepped up surveillance, treatment and preventive measures to control the spread of the disease. Officials have urged parents not to panic but to seek immediate medical care if children show symptoms.
Current Situation: 184 Suspected Cases, 35 Confirmed Infections
According to the Health Department, Gujarat has recorded 184 suspected Chandipura virus infections this monsoon. Laboratory testing has confirmed 35 cases, while results for 11 samples are still pending. Among the confirmed patients:
Seven children are currently undergoing treatment at government civil hospitals.
Six children have recovered and have been discharged after successful treatment.
Twenty-two children are suspected to have died due to the infection during the current outbreak.
The minister said all confirmed patients are below 15 years of age, highlighting that children remain the most vulnerable to the disease.
Children Receiving Specialised Treatment Across Gujarat
Children with suspected Chandipura virus infection are being treated in specialised hospitals across the state. Patients have been admitted to hospitals in:
Gandhinagar
Sabarkantha-Himmatnagar
Patan
Rajkot
Bhavnagar
According to the Health Department, expert paediatricians and critical care teams are monitoring the patients, while hospitals have been instructed to provide immediate treatment to children showing severe symptoms.
No Single Hotspot Identified
Despite the rising number of cases, the Health Minister clarified that no specific village or district has emerged as the centre of the outbreak. Confirmed infections have been reported from different parts of Gujarat rather than being concentrated in one location.
Health officials continue to monitor affected areas and are carrying out surveillance wherever suspected cases have been reported.
Government Launches Large-Scale Prevention Drive
To stop further spread of the virus, health teams have intensified preventive measures across the state.
Authorities have begun large-scale insecticide spraying, particularly in villages and livestock-rearing areas where sandflies, the insects responsible for spreading the virus, are commonly found. Residents have also been advised to:
Seal cracks and crevices in mud houses and walls.
Keep homes and surrounding areas clean.
Cooperate with health teams conducting inspections and spraying operations.
Experts say sandflies often breed in small cracks found in mud structures, making these areas an important focus for prevention.
Hospitals Told to Admit Suspected Cases Immediately
The Gujarat government has directed all government and private paediatric hospitals to immediately admit children who show warning signs of Chandipura infection.
Doctors have been instructed to shift such patients to intensive care units equipped with oxygen support and ventilators if necessary. Parents have been advised to seek urgent medical attention if children develop symptoms such as:
High fever
Vomiting
Seizures
Altered consciousness or confusion
Health officials say early diagnosis and intensive medical care can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications, including multiple organ failure.
No Vaccine or Specific Treatment Available
Doctors have reminded the public that there is currently no specific vaccine or antiviral medicine available to treat Chandipura virus infection.
Treatment mainly focuses on managing symptoms, providing supportive care and preventing complications. Because the disease can progress very quickly, especially in children, timely hospitalisation remains the best chance for recovery. Parents Asked Not to Panic
Health Minister Praful Panseriya appealed to the public not to believe rumours circulating about the outbreak.
He urged parents to remain alert and seek medical help immediately if their children develop symptoms. The minister also requested citizens to cooperate with surveillance teams carrying out preventive work in affected areas.
What Is Chandipura Virus?
Chandipura virus is a rare viral infection that primarily affects children and causes acute encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. The disease spreads through the bite of infected sandflies rather than mosquitoes.
The virus was first identified in 1965 in Chandipura village in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district, after which it was named. Experts say the infection progresses rapidly and can become life-threatening if treatment is delayed.
Second Major Outbreak in Three Years
Health experts describe the current situation as the second major Chandipura outbreak in Gujarat within the last three years.
Previous outbreaks have resulted in more than 50 deaths linked to the virus. Researchers have also suggested that a possible mutation of the virus may have contributed to recent outbreaks, with several affected areas located in semi-urban and rural regions.
As the monsoon continues, the Health Department has urged communities to remain vigilant, eliminate sandfly breeding spots and report suspected cases early to help prevent further spread of the disease.
Also Read: Guj In Grip Of Chandipura: 51 Confirmed Cases, 19 Deaths, Says Nadda In RS As Figures Continue To Rise https://www.vibesofindia.com/guj-in-grip-of-chandipura-51-confirmed-cases-19-deaths-says-nadda-in-rs-as-figures-continue-to-rise/
