Gandhinagar: Viral encephalitis has led to at least 56 fatalities in Gujarat, India, prompting increased disease surveillance.
This condition, often transmitted by sandflies and ticks, can induce high fever and brain complications. It is prevalent in India during the monsoon season. However, the Chandipura virus, which predominantly affects children under 15, is responsible for many recent deaths in Gujarat.
Gujarat Health Commissioner Harshad Patel reported that out of the 56 deaths in the past month, a quarter were confirmed as Chandipura virus cases.
“Nearly all the patients are children. To my knowledge, the virus only affects children,” Patel stated to Reuters regarding the outbreak.
Patel also mentioned that local health officials have been tracking encephalitis cases for a month and will intensify monitoring, especially in affected areas.
In one month, the state, with a population of 70 million, recorded 133 viral encephalitis cases, including 47 Chandipura virus instances, according to a government announcement.
The Chandipura virus, originating from a town in Maharashtra, has been identified as causing intermittent encephalitis outbreaks across various regions of India, as per a recent health ministry release.
