Mumbai remains on alert as Gujarat reports nearly 30 deaths after Chandipura virus outbreak

Not very far from Mumbai a virus has killed nearly 30 people in the neighbouring state of Gujarat The Chandipura virus which originated from a small village of Maharashtra has made a deadly comeback after its last outbreak in 2024 Followed by Gujarat the virus has also attacked several in RajasthanThe Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has thus deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team NJORT to Gujarat and Rajasthan to strengthen the response to the ongoing Chandipura Virus Disease CHPV outbreakChandipura virus can be spread by phlebotomine sandfly bites PICWIKIPEDIAWhile luckily Mumbai or even Maharashtra hasnrsquot reported a single case yet the health administration has gone on alert mode ldquoWe havenrsquot received any guidelines yet from the city or state health department However all the facts and figures including symptoms and line of treatment have been shared so that we are wellinformed and do not miss any cases For public hospitals itrsquos even more necessary to be on alert mode as people from across the country come here for treatment For us it is even more important as we deal with pregnant women and children on a daily basisrdquo said Dr Tushar Palave vicedean Cama and Albess HospitalDoctor speaksWhen Sunday midday reached out to doctors actively treating the Chandipura virus cases Dr Rakesh Joshi dean Ahmedabad Civil Hospital shared ldquoSince the spread and outbreak is not uniform and regular there is no treatment defined yet like that of other vectorborne diseases such as dengue and malaria Also there is no vaccine yet Since it affects the main part of the body the brain in just a few hours the window to detect and treat it is too smallChandipura virus as seen under transmission electron micrograph PICMinistry of Health and Family Welfare Govt of IndiaThough the 48hours window may look like we have two whole days to catch a notsoregular virus is difficult especially when the symptoms are so common for everyday people to understand In most of the cases where patients have died we have observed that the child was brought in almost when heshe lost consciousness mdash a stage from which itrsquos next to impossible to revive someone in the case of this virusrsquo attackrdquoAll about Chandipura virus1 Transmission Spread by phlebotomine sandfly bites It is not contagious mdash meaning does not spread from one human to another2 Source mdash Sandflies and some smaller mosquitoes Found in cracks of walls damp surfaces cow dung3 Symptoms Sudden onset of high fever headache vomiting flulike symptoms seizures loss of consciousness convulsions coma and altered mental status4 Rapid progression Can quickly advance to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome mdash AES within 24ndash48 hours mdash leading to death if treatment is not received in 24ndash48 hours5 Atrisk age group Children aged nine months to 15 years are the primary targets Most cases reported are from rural areas6 Treatment No specific antiviral or licensed vaccine yet It can be managed through early supportive care ICU admission control of brain edema and seizure management7 Preventiongtgt Vector control Fill cracks in mudplaster walls where sandflies breedgtgt Use fine mesh nets on windows and bedsgtgt Sandflymosquito repellents during monsoongtgt Proper sanitation and waste disposalSource Various medical expertsWhen to go to the hospitalIf a child has sudden high fever vomiting drowsiness seizure during monsoon outbreak season go to ER without delay Early ICU support saves livesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever