Gujarat health minister Rishikesh Patel
– Photo: ANI
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Six children have died in Gujarat in the last five days due to Chandipura virus, which causes fever and flu-like symptoms. The total number of children affected by this disease across the state rose to 12 on Monday. Chandipura virus causes fever, which has flu-like symptoms. It also causes acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). This pathogen is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family. It is spread by mosquitoes, ticks and sand flies. The first case was reported in Maharashtra in 1965. Cases of this virus are reported in Gujarat every year. Apart from India, this virus is also found in some other countries of Asia and Africa.
Gujarat Health Minister Rishikesh Patel said on Monday that out of these 12 patients, four are from Sabarkantha, three from Aravalli and one each from Mahisagar and Kheda districts. Two patients are from Rajasthan and one from Madhya Pradesh. All were treated in Gujarat. Patel said, six patients of suspected Chandipura virus have died in the state, but it will be clear only after the results of the samples come whether these deaths were caused by Chandipura virus or not. Five out of six deaths have occurred in the civil hospital of Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district. Patel said that all 12 samples, including eight from Sabarkantha, have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation. On July 10, pediatricians of the civil hospital of Himmatnagar suspected Chandipura virus to be the cause of death of four children. Their samples were sent to NIV for confirmation. Later, similar symptoms were seen in four more children in the hospital.
Chandipura virus is not contagious
Patel said that Chandipura virus is not contagious. However, intensive surveillance has been done in the affected areas. We have screened 18,646 people in 4,487 houses. The health department is working round the clock to prevent the spread of the disease. Patel said that apart from fever, vomiting, diarrhea and headache are its main symptoms. If these symptoms appear, one should consult a doctor.