Context:
6 children die of suspected Chandipura virus infection in Gujarat.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Dimensions of the Article:
- Chandipura Virus Infection (CHPV)
Chandipura Virus Infection (CHPV):
- Virus Classification: CHPV belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family, which also includes rabies virus (lyssavirus).
- Vectors: Transmitted primarily by sandflies like Phlebotomine sandflies and Phlebotomus papatasi, and certain mosquito species including Aedes aegypti (also vector for dengue).
- Transmission: The virus resides in the salivary glands of these insects and can be transmitted to humans and other vertebrates through bites.
- Pathogenesis: Enters the central nervous system, causing encephalitis (inflammation of the brain’s active tissues).
- Symptoms:
- Initially presents with flu-like symptoms such as sudden onset of fever, body ache, and headache.
- Progresses to altered mental status, seizures, and encephalitis.
- Other symptoms include respiratory distress, bleeding tendencies, and anemia.
- Rapid disease progression, with mortality possible within 24-48 hours of hospitalization post-encephalitis.
- Demographics: Primarily affects children under 15 years of age.
- Treatment: Currently managed symptomatically; no specific antiviral therapy or vaccine available.
- Affected Regions in India:
- First isolated during investigations of a dengue/chikungunya outbreak in Maharashtra in 1965.
- Significant outbreaks observed in 2003-04 in Maharashtra, northern Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Endemic to central India, where the population of sandflies and mosquitoes capable of spreading CHPV is higher.
-Source: Indian Express
