What is this virus?
The Chandipura virus is a microbe that belongs to the same family as the rabies virus. It causes inflammation of the brain known as encephalitis, which can be very dangerous. It was first discovered in 1965 in the village of Chandipura in the state of Maharashtra, India. Since then, it has caused several outbreaks, the most notable being in 2003 in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
How is it spread?
The Chandipura virus is transmitted primarily through mosquito and tick bites. When one of these infected insects bites a person, the virus enters their bloodstream through the insect’s saliva. Once inside the body, the virus multiplies in certain cells of the immune system and eventually reaches the brain, causing inflammation and damage.
What is causing in India
In the current outbreak, which has affected more than 100 people in Gujarat, Children under 15 have been the most vulnerable. The initial symptoms of the Chandipura virus resemble those of influenza, but can rapidly progress to encephalitis, coma and death within a short period of time. The severity and speed of the virus’s spread have alarmed public health authorities.
The resurgence of the Chandipura virus in India is partly attributed to climate change, which has increased temperatures and facilitated the spread of insect-borne diseases. In addition to Chandipura, India has seen a rise in cases of other viruses such as Zika, dengue and Nipah, exacerbated by the same environmental conditions.
