Maharashtra on alert after Chandipura outbreak in Gujarat
Maharashtra on alert after Chandipura outbreak in Gujarat
All officials are directed to strengthen comprehensive epidemiological, environmental and entomological surveillance and studies.
The state public health department in Maharashtra issued an alert following the Chandipura virus outbreak in Gujarat as a precautionary measure to monitor and prevent the spread of the virus. Chandipura virus primarily affects children and is transmitted by sandflies.
Public health authorities typically implement measures such as increased surveillance, awareness campaigns, and possibly vector control to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks. It’s important for residents to stay informed through official health advisories and take necessary precautions to avoid exposure to sandflies, especially during peak transmission seasons. All officials are directed to strengthen comprehensive epidemiological, environmental and entomological surveillance and studies. Also, officials are asked to identify villages and areas with sandflies as sensitive to Chandipura and conduct house-to-house insecticide spraying, read the advisory.
The virus is spread by the female phlebotomine sandfly, which is abundant during the early monsoon season. Chandipura infection produces encephalitis, which is the inflammation or swelling of brain tissue. Typical symptoms include a rapid onset of fever, vomiting, altered mental state, convulsions, diarrhoea, neurological deficits, and signs of meningeal irritation.
The advisory recommends immediate referral of children under 15 years with symptoms such as sudden fever, behavioural changes, convulsions, or fainting, they should be immediately referred to the nearest primary health centre, rural hospitals or district hospital. Besides, blood samples of such patients should be tested for dengue, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), and Chandipura to ensure a definite diagnosis.
The joint director of health services, Dr Radhakishan Pawar who is heading the vector-borne disease control programme in the state issued an advisory on July 19 to all municipal corporations, zilla parishads, civil surgeons, district health officers, and malaria officers in the state.
