Chandipura Virus: Understanding The Growing Fear And Its Impact On Public Health | Health Live

The WHO warns that the Chandipura virus poses a greater threat in 2024 than it has in the past two decades. From early June to August 15, the Union Health Ministry reported 245 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome, with 82 deaths, marking a 33% fatality rate. Among these, 64 cases were confirmed as caused by the Chandipura virus, making it the most severe outbreak in 20 years.

Acute encephalitis syndrome leads to brain inflammation, causing symptoms like fever, confusion, disorientation, and coma. Other effects include seizures, irritability, vomiting, and personality changes.

Belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family, the Chandipura virus is spreading rapidly in India, primarily transmitted through sand flies and mosquitoes, especially during the monsoon. Human-to-human transmission has not been observed.