• UGI USER
  • Jul 17, 2024
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CHANDIPURA VIRUS OUTBREAK IN GUJARAT: SYMPTOMS AND MANAGEMENT

Why in the news?

  • Gujarat has reported six deaths of children from suspected Chandipura virus infection since July 10, with a total of 12 suspected cases.
  • The virus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family, transmitted by sandfly and mosquito bites, potentially causing encephalitis.
source:scribd

Key points: Sandflies:

  • Sand flies are small flies, smaller than mosquitoes, found in warm, rural, and forested areas.
  • They transmit leishmaniasis, caused by a protozoan parasite.
  • Recent reports show sand flies found at higher heights than usual during surveillance, indicating changing behaviour patterns.

Symptoms Chandipura virus  and Disease Progression:

  • Initial symptoms resemble flu, including fever, body ache, and headache, progressing to seizures and encephalitis.
  • Rapid disease progression can lead to mortality within 24-48 hours, particularly affecting children under 15 years old.
About Chandipura Virus (CHPV):

  • Chandipura Virus (CHPV) is an RNA virus in the Rhabdoviridae family.
  • Transmitted by sandflies (Phlebotomine and Phlebotomus papatasi) and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
  • Resides in insect salivary glands; transmitted to humans and animals through bites.
  • Causes encephalitis by infecting the central nervous system.
  • Not contagious between humans.

Symptoms:

  • Initial symptoms: acute fever, body ache, headache resembling flu.
  • Progression: altered sensorium, seizures, and potential encephalitis.
  • Additional symptoms: respiratory distress, bleeding tendencies, anaemia reported in retrospective studies.