Chandipura virus outbreak kills two children in Rajasthan, India

A sandfly‑borne Chandipura virus infection has claimed the lives of two young children in Rajasthan— a 6‑year‑old from Dungarpur and a 2‑year‑old from Sirohi— while they were receiving treatment in hospitals in Gujarat. The virus, transmitted by bites of infected sandflies, causes acute encephalitis that can progress rapidly, especially in children under 15.

Rajasthan’s health department has responded with extensive screening drives in the districts of Dungarpur, Sirohi and Udaipur, deploying rapid‑response teams to monitor for high fever, persistent vomiting, severe headache, seizures, altered consciousness and other signs of the disease. Because the infection is not spread person‑to‑person, authorities are focusing on vector control measures such as insecticide spraying, eliminating damp breeding sites, using repellents and bed nets, and educating families to seek immediate medical care when symptoms appear during the monsoon season.

The outbreak highlights the seasonal health risk posed by sandflies in rural and semi‑urban areas of India and underscores the need for heightened surveillance and preventive actions to protect children from this rare but potentially fatal virus.