Chandipura virus infection

Subject: Science and tech

Sec: Health

Context:

6 children die of suspected Chandipura virus infection in Gujarat: What is the disease, and what are its symptoms?

More about News:

Several species of sandflies and some species of mosquitoes are known to transmit the infection. It can cause brain inflammation, leading to death in some cases.
States where virus spread:
- Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Mahisagar and Kheda districts of – Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Madhya Pradesh
A lot of kutcha houses also use cowdung paint or maybe making cowdung cakes, which in turn attracts sandflies.
Kutcha house:
- A Houses made of mud and straw are known as kutcha houses.

CHPV infection:

CHPV is a virus of the Rhabdoviridae family.
Other members such as the lyssavirus that causes rabies.
Several species of sandflies like Phlebotomine sandflies and Phlebotomus papatasi, and some mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti (which is also the vector for dengue) are considered vectors of CHPV.

Rhabdoviridae virus:

Rhabdoviridaeis a family of negative-strand RNA virus.
Vertebrates(including mammals, humans), invertebrates, plants, fungi and protozoans serve as natural
Diseases associated with member viruses include rabies encephalities caused by the rabies virus, and flu-like symptoms in humans caused by
The individual virus particles (virions) of rhabdoviruses are composed of RNA, protein, carbohydrate and lipid.

How is it transmitted?

The virus resides in the salivary gland of these insects, and can be transmitted to humans or other vertebrates like domestic animals through bites.
The infection caused by the virus can then reach the central nervous system which can lead to encephalitis — inflammation of the active tissues of the brain.

Symptoms of CHPV infection:

Initially with flu-like symptoms.
Acute onset of fever
Body ache
Headache
It may then progress to altered sensorium or seizures and
Other symptoms such as respiratory distress, bleeding tendencies, or anaemia.
The infection often progresses rapidly after encephalitis, which may then lead to mortality within 24-48 hours of hospitalisation.
Susceptibility has largely remained limited to children below 15 years.

How can the infection be managed?

There is no specific antiretroviral therapy or vaccine available for treatment.
Disease progression can be as rapid as a patient reporting high fever in the morning, and their kidneys or liver being affected by the evening. This makes it harder to manage the symptoms.

Prevention of CHPV infection:

Clean Surrounding: Chandipura virus is mostly infected from sand flies that breed over garbage, little and dirty areas.
Avoid stagnation of water.
Keep kids away from dustbins in public spaces.

Which are the worst affected regions in India?

The CHPV infection was first isolated in 1965 while investigating a dengue/chikungunya outbreak in Maharastra.
One of the most significant outbreaks of the disease in India was seen in 2003-04 in states such as Maharashtra, northern Gujarat and Andra Pradesh.
The infection has largely remained endemic to the central part of India, where the population of CHPV infection-spreading sandflies and mosquitoes is higher.

Measures taken by district authorities:

The district authorities have deployed teams to conduct preventive measures like dusting to kill sandflies and fumigation to kill insects and mosquitoes in affected areas in order to prevent further spread of the virus.

Has the disease pattern changed over the years?

There are changes in patterns being reported — both in the disease manifestation as well as the vector.
The outbreaks are more pronounced because sandflies multiply more during the monsoon season.
Sandflies usually do not fly at a height more than 3 feet from the ground but this time during surveillance, sandflies have been found on terraces and higher heights.
Additionally death with brain haemorrhages, which is a new presentation.
Cases are also suspected in other tribal areas such as Pavagadh, Khedbrahma and Godhra.

Tribal areas – Tribes

Pavagadh – Rathwa

Khedbrahma – Damor

Godhra – Godhra