Following a high-level review meeting, the central government has dispatched a
multidisciplinary expert team to support Gujarat in managing the Chandipura virus and Acute
Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) outbreak. The meeting emphasized the limited role of
infectious agents in AES cases nationwide and highlighted the need for comprehensive
studies in Gujarat.
The expert team includes specialists from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),
the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Department of Animal Husbandry
and Dairying (DAHD). They will conduct epidemiological, environmental, and
entomological assessments to better understand the outbreak. These assessments will
investigate disease spread, environmental factors like climate and sanitation, and vectors such
as sand flies and ticks to develop effective control strategies.
Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, and experts from AIIMS, Kalawati Saran
Children’s Hospital, and NIMHANS joined state and central surveillance officials to review
AES and Chandipura virus cases in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
AES, marked by neurological symptoms, can be caused by various infectious agents,
including viruses like Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue, Herpes Simplex Virus, and Chandipura
Virus (CHPV). The CHPV, primarily affecting children under 15, is spread by sand flies and
ticks and leads to severe febrile illnesses.
As of July 20, 2024, Gujarat has reported 75 AES cases from 21 districts, with a total of 78
cases across three states. There have been 28 deaths, including 9 CHPV-positive cases and 5
related fatalities in Gujarat.
With no specific treatment for Chandipura Virus, efforts will focus on vector control,
hygiene, and public awareness. Early referral of suspected AES cases to designated medical
facilities is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
