Chandipura virus

August 1, 2024 2:11 PM

Acute encephalitis syndrome outbreak claims 59 lives in India

An outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) has caused alarm in Gujarat and neighboring states, affecting children under 15 years old. Since early June, 148 cases have been reported: 140 in Gujarat, 4 in Madhya Pradesh, 3 in Rajasthan, and 1 in Maharashtra. Tragically, 59 children have died. The Chandipura virus (CHPV) has been confirmed in 51 cases. In response to the crisis, a high-level review meeting was held on Thursday. Key health officials, including the Director General of Health S...

Viral encephalitis leaves 56 dead in Gujarat in a month

Viral encephalitis has caused at least 56 deaths in the state of Gujarat, forcing authorities to step up surveillance for the disease caused by a viral infection often spread by sand flies and ticks. Viral encephalitis, which can cause high fever and in many cases affect the brain, is common in several parts of India during the monsoon season, but many of the deaths in Gujarat were caused by the Chandipura virus, a relatively new form that is known to affect mostly children under 15. Of the 56...