In Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district, four children have died and two others are under treatment for suspected infection of Chandipura virus, which causes encephalitis.
- Chandipura virus is a rare and potentially deadly pathogen that causes fever, flu-like symptoms, and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
- The virus is transmitted through vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies, and can lead to rapid progression of illness, coma, and even death.
- It affects mostly children.
- It was first identified in 1965 after isolation from the blood of two patients from Chandipura village in Maharashtra state, India.
