Gujarat: 6 children die from suspected Chandipura virus since July 10

Since July 10, six children have died from a suspected outbreak of the Chandipura virus in Gujarat, with the total number of cases rising to 12, according to state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel. The virus, which causes fever, flu-like symptoms, and acute encephalitis, is transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies. Samples from the 12 patients have been sent to Pune’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) for confirmation.

Among the cases, four were from Sabarkantha district, three from Aravalli, one from Mahisagar, and one from Kheda in Gujarat, with additional cases from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Five of the six deaths occurred at the civil hospital where paediatricians initially suspected the virus and sent samples to the NIV for testing.