Gujarat is facing another serious Chandipura virus outbreak, with 27 people dying in the past 45 days and health authorities stepping up surveillance and containment measures across affected districts.
According to the state health department, 242 suspected cases have been reported so far. Of these, 41 cases have been confirmed, with 27 resulting in deaths. Two patients are currently undergoing treatment — one at GMERS Gandhinagar and another at a private hospital in Mansa.
The outbreak has raised particular concern because children under the age of 15 are considered especially vulnerable to the infection.
Intensive Door-to-Door Surveys Underway
The state government has launched an intensive containment campaign in districts where Chandipura cases have been reported.
Health teams are carrying out door-to-door surveys to identify children showing symptoms and to locate places where sandflies may be breeding.
Authorities are also inspecting areas around homes and other locations that could support the growth of the insects. Officials said that in many places where cases were previously detected, no fresh infections are currently being reported.
The confirmed cases have been reported from Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Kheda, Anand, Patan, Rajkot and Bhavnagar, among other districts.
Sandflies at the Centre of the Response
Experts have identified sandflies as the primary carriers of the virus.
Health teams are therefore looking closely at places where these insects can breed or hide. Mud houses, particularly cracks and gaps in such structures, can provide suitable breeding and nesting spots for sandflies, experts said.
Authorities are surveying vulnerable locations and, where necessary, are also demolishing structures considered potential breeding sites in an effort to reduce the risk of transmission.
Why Children Are at Greater Risk
This is Gujarat’s second major Chandipura outbreak in three years, according to the information provided.
Children below 15 years are particularly vulnerable, while the virus is considered serious because of its potentially high fatality rate.
The early symptoms can include high fever, severe headache and gastrointestinal problems. In some cases, the illness can progress rapidly.
Experts said that within 24 to 48 hours, the infection can develop into acute encephalitis, a serious condition affecting the brain. Children may experience seizures and fits in such cases.
Treatment is largely focused on managing the symptoms and supporting the patient as the illness progresses.
National Response Teams Sent to Gujarat
The response to the outbreak is not limited to the state government.
The Union health ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have deployed a multidisciplinary National Joint Outbreak Response Team to Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The teams are assisting the states with efforts to understand and contain the outbreak.
The deployment comes as Gujarat continues surveillance in affected areas and works to identify possible sources of infection.
Government Focuses on Stopping Transmission
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Praful Pansheriya said the state has intensified its containment measures in districts where cases have been reported.
The government is focusing on two major areas — finding people who may have symptoms and reducing places where sandflies can breed.
The aim is to detect possible cases early while also reducing the environmental conditions that could allow the virus to spread.
With 27 deaths already reported and dozens of confirmed cases, authorities are continuing their efforts to prevent the outbreak from becoming more widespread.
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