Health experts report rise in Chandipura virus, AES cases in Central India

Prof. Atul Goel, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health, along with experts from AIIMS, Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital and National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), investigated the cases of Chandipura virus and acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

After detailed discussion and assessment, the experts concluded that infectious agents contribute to only a small fraction of AES cases across the country. They stressed the need for comprehensive epidemiological, environmental and entomological studies of AES cases reported in Gujarat.

A multidisciplinary central team of NCDC, ICMR and DAHD is being deployed to assist the state of Gujarat with these investigations. AES is a group of clinically similar neurological disorders caused by various pathogens including viruses such as JE, Dengue, HSV, CHPV and West Nile.

Chandipura virus (CHPV), a member of the Rhabdoviridae family, causes sporadic cases and outbreaks, mainly during the monsoon season. CHPV is transmitted by vectors such as sand flies and ticks and mainly affects children under 15 years of age. Although there is no specific treatment, symptomatic treatment and timely referral can improve outcomes.

Since early June 2024, Gujarat has reported 78 AES cases, of which 75 cases have been reported from 21 districts/corporations, 2 from Rajasthan and 1 from Madhya Pradesh. Of these, 28 have been fatal. Of the 76 samples tested at NIV Pune, 9 were confirmed positive for CHPV, all from Gujarat.

(With input from agencies.)