Panchmahal: A sudden spike in suspected Chandipura virus infections has alarmed health officials in Gujarat’s Panchmahal district after three children died within a week. A total of four cases have been reported so far, all involving severe fever and seizures.
Although the children did not exhibit the exact signs typically associated with Chandipura virus, such as brain inflammation, the nature of their symptoms and rapid deterioration has raised serious concerns. All the affected children were admitted to Sayaji Hospital in Vadodara for treatment.
One child from Dokwa village in Godhra taluka remains hospitalized with fever and convulsions. Medical samples have been sent for diagnostic testing to confirm the presence of the virus.
In response to the crisis, expert teams from Puducherry and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune have been deployed to Panchmahal. Working alongside Gujarat’s state health department, they are conducting field investigations, collecting samples, and assessing the virus’s potential spread and source. Their focus is not only on identifying the cause but also on putting immediate containment measures in place.
Chandipura virus, a rare but potentially fatal viral infection, primarily affects children and is spread by sandflies. Common symptoms include high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and in some cases, swelling of the brain. The virus is known to become more active during the monsoon season, when insect populations surge.
Authorities have issued an advisory urging parents to take extra precautions, including using mosquito repellents, maintaining hygiene in and around homes, and preventing water stagnation, which can attract disease-spreading insects.
District health officers have emphasized that early detection and prevention are key to controlling the spread. They have launched awareness drives in vulnerable areas to educate families about the symptoms and necessary protective steps.
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