Chandipura Virus - Everything you need to know

July 18, 2024

Chandipura Virus has emerged as one of the most challenging health concerns for kids in India. Though identified in 1965, most people know little about this deadly viral infection.

This was the story a few months back because the virus has been a primary coverage for news channels and newspaper reports. In a few days, various cases of Chandipura Virus have been recorded in kids across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. As per reports and analysis, this recent outbreak of Chandipura Virus could be fatal as it is primarily targeting kids.

Have you started worrying? Don’t! Stay with us in this blog till the end.
This detailed blog discusses the origin, symptoms, and precautions of the Chandipura Virus in detail. Knowing about the virus can help parents to protect their children from getting infected. Let’s explore:

What is the Chandipura Virus?

Chandipura vesiculovirus (CHPV), or simply Chandipura Virus, is a viral infection causing encephalitic illness or brain inflammation in children between 0-14 years old. The leading carriers of this disease are sandflies.

It is an RNA virus associated with the Rhabdoviridae family and the Vesiculovirus genus. The first case of Chandipura Virus was recorded in 1965 in Chandipura Village of Maharashtra, India, hence its name, Chandipura virus.

This deadly virus has been erratically reported in different regions of India, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat, in the past few years. In 2003, the Chandipura Virus killed 189 of 329 kids in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Later, some cases were recorded in the years 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2019.

Main symptoms of the Chandipura Virus

The primary signs of the Chandipura Virus infection in kids are similar to those of common viral infections. However, if left untreated, these can escalate at a rapid rate, causing more health problems. The main symptoms of the Chandipura infection are as follows:

Fever: Sudden outbreak of high fever.
Headache: The patient experiences severe headaches.
Vomiting: Frequent vomiting fits are common.
Convulsions: Convulsions or seizures are significant symptoms of the CHPV infection.
Altered mental status: Infected kid faces confusion, irritation, and changes in conscious state.

If left untreated, Chandipura Virus infection can lead to coma and eventually death.

What causes the Chandipura Virus infection in kids?

The CHPV infection is primarily caused by the biting of the following:

Sandflies
Mosquitoes
Ticks

Tips to protect kids from Chandipura Virus

Despite being identified for a long, no focused antiviral treatment or vaccination exists to fight the Chandipura virus vector in kids. The only practical Chandipura virus prevention tip is to adopt specific control strategies to reduce symptoms and avoid complications in severe cases.

The main preventive measures you can take to control the spread of the Chandipura Virus are given below in the pointers. Take a look:

Regular spraying of insecticides to stop the breeding of sandflies.
Use bed nets when your kid is asleep.
Encourage your kids to use mosquito repellent sprays or fabric roll-ons when playing outside.
Ask your child to wash their hands frequently. Plus, you can give them a hand wash to carry outdoors.
Dress your kid in full-sleeved clothes at home and outdoors. This will help to reduce exposure to sandflies and insect bites.
Keep your home and surroundings clean. Avoid water stagnation, garbage piling, and waste collection in your homes and vicinity. It will help reduce the breeding of mosquitoes and germs.
Ensure to keep your windows and doors closed to prevent the entry of sandflies inside your home.
Keep your child hydrated, especially in the case of intense vomiting.

Besides the precautions mentioned above, you can buy BabyOrgano Complete Monsoon Care Combo for Kids. It features Suvarnaprashan Drops, Waterless Handwash, and BugsAway Mosquito Repellent Spray.

Suvarnaprashan Drops help boost your kids' immunity and create a guarding shield around them against diseases. Made with 24CT Gold Ash and 10+ Ayurvedic herbs, this formulation increases immunity and promotes holistic development in babies and kids.

The Waterless Handwash has Aragvadha, Tulsi, Neem, and Aloe Vera to keep your kid’s hands clean and germ-free without water.

Lastly, the BugsAway Mosquito Repellent Spray keeps mosquitoes, bugs, and insects away from your kids. It has Citronella, Lemongrass, and Palmarosa Oils. This spray is free from chemicals like DEET, ensuring gentle care for your kid’s sensitive skin.

This Complete Monsoon Care Combo for kids protects your child from the hovering risk of Chandipura Virus.

Wrapping up

The Chandipura Virus is spreading quickly in India, especially in Gujarat. A few cases have also been recorded in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Parents need to understand the severity of the situation and take all the necessary precautionary measures for their kid’s safety. I hope this guide will help you reduce the chances of infection in your child. Follow the remedies and get medical help immediately to ensure timely Chandipura Virus treatment for your kid. Thank you for reading!