Chandipura virus cases are on a steep rise in Gujarat. It mostly affects children and over six kids have succumbed to death.
Chandipura virus is a deadly infection that can cause coma and death if not treated on time. Currently, the state of Gujarat is witnessing an increase in the number of cases in children and fatality reports are being recorded too. After two more cases of death reported in the state, the the number of fatalities recorded so far has rise to eight, Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said. On Monday, Patel addressed the public stating that,” Chandipura virus cases have come up at several places in the state. There is no need to be scared but we need to be cautious. Chandipura is not a new virus. In 1965, the first case was registered in Maharashtra. Cases of this virus are registered in Gujarat every year. This disease occurs by the sting of a vector-infected sandfly and it mainly affects children aged 9 months-14 years. It is seen more in rural areas.”
However, rasingin our health guards is the need of the hours. Monsoon season entails its own set of seasonal virus and bacteria like dengue, malaria etc.
Chandipura Virus Transmission
The irus us a member of Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae. The Chandipura Viral Encephalitis (CHPV) is, reportedly, named after Maharashtra’s Chandipura district where the first outbreak was recorded. According to the state health minister, “This disease is not contagious.”
How to Keep Children Safe From Chandipura Virus?
One cannot guarantee a safety net from getting infected from any virus, but what we can do is maintain a healthy and clean surrounding and lower the risk of getting infected as much as possible.
- Clean Surrounding: Chandipura virus is mostly infected from sand flies that breed over garbage, little and dirty areas. Therefore, it is imperative to keep your surrounding clean. Avoid stagnation of water. Keep kids away from dustbins in public spaces.
- Full Sleeves Clothing: This is another important step that is often overlooked and understated. It is important to wear light clothes that completely keeps the body covered. It will help to reduce the risk of getting bitten oir infected by sand flies or mosquitoes, especially when the virus is spreading like wildfire.
- Insect Repellants: Insecticide sprays can help eliminate the vector, said the experts, while also calling for efforts to prevent the spread of the virus by controlling sandfly populations.
- Bed Nets: Another health strategy is used insect repellants and bed nets while sleeping.
- Healthy Lifestyle: A nutrient-dense diet that helps to boost immunity is also essential to combat pathogens.
Cases have been reported from Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Kheda, Mehsana and Rajkot districts, the minister said.
Three cases from the neighbouring states – two from Rajasthan and one from Madhya Pradesh – have also been treated in Gujarat hospitals, Patel said. Of the two patients from Rajasthan, one has died, he said.”Mortality rate in the disease is high and it is difficult for a patient to survive if there is a delay in getting treatment,” he said.
Screening of over 44,000 people has been conducted at 8,600 houses from across 26 residential zones as a precautionary measure, he said.