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Virus Mystery: Gujarat Deaths Rise, Vector Eludes Experts
13 Aug
Summary
- Chandipura virus deaths in Gujarat reach 25, with 39 children infected.
- No known virus carriers like sandflies have tested positive so far.
- Infected children found across 12 Gujarat districts and 3 in Rajasthan.
The Chandipura virus has claimed 25 lives in Gujarat within approximately five weeks, with 39 confirmed infections among children. Public health specialists are struggling to pinpoint the virus's breeding source, as screenings of common carriers like sandflies, mosquitoes, and ticks have yielded negative results. This baffling situation mirrors a similar outbreak in 2024.
The virus, causing Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, predominantly affects children under 15 and has also caused fatalities in Rajasthan. Notably, patients have been found in Saurashtra, geographically distant from endemic sandfly regions, raising suspicions of multiple vectors. Researchers continue extensive testing on collected samples.
Authorities are broadening their investigation to include a wider range of arthropods and have initiated animal surveillance, testing blood and milk from cattle, buffaloes, and goats. Despite these efforts, no conclusive vector or animal reservoir has been identified for the current or the 2024 outbreak.
Experts urge more intensive and timely entomological surveillance to understand the virus's transmission cycle and identify potential reservoirs, emphasizing the need to look beyond established vectors and monitor continuously, not just during outbreaks.
