Nearly 25 children dead in Gujarat as Chandipura virus returns

Gujarat witnessed a renewed outbreak of the Chandipura virus (CHPV), which claimed the lives of 25 children under the age of 14 in less than two months.The virus, which primarily affects children, has resurfaced after a two-year gap, raising concerns among health authorities.According to media reports the official data available until August 10, Gujarat reported 225 suspected cases, of which 39 were laboratory-confirmed. Some cases have also been reported from neighbouring Rajasthan.The latest outbreak follows the deadly 2024 surge, when the virus claimed at least 60 lives in Gujarat and three in Rajasthan. The 2024 outbreak was considered the worst in two decades.
Health authorities have intensified surveillance in affected districts, while the Centre has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to support investigations and strengthen containment measures.Chandipura virus is transmitted through infected sandflies and is associated with acute encephalitis syndrome, which causes inflammation of the brain. The disease progresses rapidly and commonly affects children below the age of 15.

#WATCH | Delhi | ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl says, “Chandipura virus outbreak occurred several times before, but the latest one was about two years ago. There is also one that is going on now. There is a Special Task Force there working in Gujarat. In fact, the ICMR team… pic.twitter.com/BK4pW1v1lQ

— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2026

Symptoms include high fever, vomiting, severe headache, seizures, drowsiness and altered consciousness. Doctors have stressed the importance of early diagnosis and prompt hospitalisation to improve survival rates.Dr. Veena Iyer, Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, reportedly stated that the virus was first identified in 1965 near Chandipura village in Maharashtra and has caused repeated outbreaks in several states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.She reportedly noted that studies have confirmed sandflies as the primary carriers of the virus. According to her, the frequent outbreaks in Gujarat and Rajasthan may be linked to ecological and social factors, including rural housing patterns, poor sanitation and the presence of cattle sheds that provide favourable breeding conditions for sandflies.
Health officials have advised people in affected areas to maintain cleanliness, avoid exposure to sandflies and seek immediate medical attention if children develop symptoms associated with encephalitis.With the virus capable of causing severe illness within a short period, authorities say prevention, early detection and vector-control measures remain critical to reducing fatalities.

(State Correspondent)