Daijiworld Media Network - Surat

Surat, Jul 12: Gujarat has reported three deaths and six confirmed cases of Chandipura virus among children over the past 10 days, prompting the state government to intensify surveillance and disease-control measures, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said on Saturday.

Speaking in Surat, the minister said health authorities had identified 17 suspected paediatric cases and sent their samples for laboratory analysis.

"Out of the 17 suspected cases, 10 children tested negative, while six were confirmed positive for Chandipura virus and are currently undergoing treatment. Unfortunately, three children have lost their lives during the past 10 days," Pansheriya said.

The latest cases represent a rise from the initial infections reported earlier this week in Panchmahal district, where two children had died after contracting the virus.

The death toll later increased after a six-year-old child from Rajasthan, who was receiving treatment at Himmatnagar Civil Hospital in Sabarkantha district, succumbed to the infection.

In response to the outbreak, the state health department has intensified surveillance in affected areas. Teams are conducting door-to-door health checks, collecting blood samples from suspected patients and carrying out insecticide spraying after the presence of sand flies—the primary carriers of the virus—was detected in several villages.

Medical teams have also been deployed to closely monitor children showing symptoms and strengthen disease surveillance across vulnerable regions.

Chandipura virus is a vector-borne disease caused by a rhabdovirus that primarily affects children. It is mainly spread through the bite of infected sand flies and can lead to acute encephalitis syndrome, a serious condition involving inflammation of the brain.

The illness usually begins with symptoms such as high fever, headache and vomiting, but can rapidly progress to seizures, unconsciousness and severe neurological complications, making early diagnosis and treatment essential.

There is currently no specific antiviral medicine or vaccine for Chandipura virus, and treatment is limited to supportive medical care.

Health experts have urged parents to seek immediate medical attention if children develop sudden fever, vomiting, convulsions or altered consciousness.

Authorities have also advised preventive measures such as controlling sand fly breeding through insecticide spraying, maintaining clean surroundings, sealing cracks in mud houses where sand flies breed, and using mosquito nets and insect repellents to reduce exposure.

The fresh cases come nearly two years after Gujarat witnessed the country's largest Chandipura virus outbreak during the 2024 monsoon season, prompting authorities to maintain heightened vigilance during this year's rainy season.