Current Chandipura virus infection in India considered the largest in 20 years: WHO
- August 29, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Current Chandipura virus infection in India considered the largest in 20 years: WHO
Subject: Science and Tech
Sec: Disease
Context:
The current outbreak of Chandipura virus (CHPV) infection in India is considered the largest in the past 20 years and while authorities are making efforts to control the transmission of CHPV, further transmission is possible in the coming weeks, considering the favourable conditions for vector populations during the monsoon season in affected areas, warned the World Health Organisation (WHO) in its latest disease outbreak news on acute encephalitis syndrome due to Chandipura virus (India).
Rhabdoviridae family:
- CHPV is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family and is known to cause sporadic cases and outbreaks of AES in western, central and southern parts of India, especially during the monsoon season.
- It is transmitted by vectors such as sandflies, mosquitoes and ticks.
- The case fatality ratio from CHPV infection is high (56-75%), and there is no specific treatment or vaccine available.
- According to the note released by WHO, survival can be increased with early access to care and intensive supportive care of patients.
CHPV infection:
- CHPV is a virus of the Rhabdoviridae family.
- Other members such as the lyssavirus that causes rabies.
- Several species of sandflies like Phlebotominesandflies 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 protozoansserve as natural.
- Diseases associated with member viruses include rabies encephalitiescaused by the rabies virus, and flu-like symptoms in humans.
- 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 systemwhich 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 seizuresand
- Other symptoms such asrespiratory 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.