The viral infection transmitted by sandflies, mosquitoes, and ticks, has been claiming young lives in India lately. 

A suspected outbreak of Chandipura Virus (CHPV), a viral infection transmitted by sandflies, mosquitoes, and ticks, has been reported in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is believed to have claimed 15 lives — mostly children — so far. First Check gets you all the facts about this encephalitic pathogen. 

The virus gets its name from Chandipura village in Maharashtra, where it was first isolated in 1965. The carrier (vector) for the virus is the sandfly (found in crevices of walls built from mud or sand), mosquitoes and ticks. Till date, the presence of the virus has been detected in India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal as well as in the African continent — Nigeria and Senegal.

Children under 15 years of age are particularly susceptible to the viral infection. Symptoms include high fever, with episodes of seizure, and coma. Acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) is also a common occurrence. In most cases, death occurs within 24 hours of the advent of symptoms.

Currently, no antiviral drugs are available against the virus. Neither is there a vaccine to prevent the viral infection. Providing symptomatic relief to reduce brain edema is the only feasible treatment. A clinical examination is needed to rule out other ailments with similar symptoms, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and other bacterial infections. 

Prevention is the best method to deal with this public health challenge. This includes containment of disease transmitting vectors, maintaining good nutrition, health, hygiene and greater public awareness about the viral infection.  

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