Gujarat Chandipura Virus Outbreak Claims 22 Child Lives, 35 Cases Confirmed

Chandipura virus Gujarat child deaths sandfly surveillance

The Gujarat state health department has confirmed 35 cases of Chandipura virus (CHPV) out of 184 suspected infections during the monsoon season, resulting in the deaths of 22 children under the age of 15. Health Minister Praful Panseriya said that seven patients remain under intensive care in civil hospitals across Gandhinagar, Himmatnagar, Patan, Rajkot and Bhavnagar, while six have already recovered and been discharged.

CHPV, a sandfly‑borne rhabdovirus, causes acute encephalitis syndrome with rapid progression to seizures, high fever and multi‑organ failure. No specific antiviral drug or licensed vaccine exists, so authorities are emphasizing early diagnosis, supportive ICU care with oxygen and ventilators, and vector‑control measures. Teams are spraying insecticides in sandfly‑breeding areas, sealing cracks in mud houses, and conducting door‑to‑door surveillance across districts. All public and private paediatric facilities have been instructed to admit suspected cases immediately to ICU beds.

The department has also mobilised rapid‑response teams, increased laboratory testing at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, and urged parents to seek prompt medical attention for children showing fever, vomiting, seizures or altered consciousness.

Entities: Chandipura virus · Gandhinagar · Government of Gujarat · Gujarat · Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) · Gujarat Health Department · Praful Panseriya · State of Gujarat · children · sandfly

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Seven patients remain under treatment in government hospitals. (Gujarat Health Department)
[● 5 SOURCES] 22 children have died from Chandipura virus in Gujarat during the monsoon season. (Gujarat health officials)
[● 2 SOURCES] 714 chlorine tests were conducted and 334 drinking‑water samples collected in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. (Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation)
[● 3 SOURCES] Gujarat health department placed the state on high alert and intensified surveillance, including door‑to‑door monitoring and vector‑control operations. (Gujarat Health Department)
[○ 1 SOURCE] More than 10.5 million chlorine tablets have been distributed across Gujarat to ensure safe drinking water. (Gujarat Health Department)
[● 5 SOURCES] 35 cases of Chandipura virus have been confirmed out of 184 suspected infections. (Gujarat Health Department)
[● 4 SOURCES] No specific antiviral treatment or vaccine exists for Chandipura virus. (Health officials)
[● 5 SOURCES] Vector‑control measures include insecticide spraying targeting sandflies, the primary carrier of Chandipura virus. (Gujarat health officials)