India has reported 53 confirmed cases of the Chandipura virus, with 51 from Gujarat and two from Rajasthan, as of July 31. Union Health Minister J P Nadda shared this information with the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Tragically, 19 people have died, all from Gujarat.
However, the situation seems to be worsening. According to the latest report from the Gujarat government on Tuesday evening, the number of positive cases has risen to 59. The total cases of viral encephalitis have reached 159, with a death toll of 71.
Government Response to the Outbreak
To tackle the outbreak, the government has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT). This team is assisting the Gujarat government in public health measures and detailed investigations. Experts from several health organizations, including the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune, are part of this team.
A team from the NCDC in Delhi and ICMR NIV Pune is conducting an investigation into the Acute Encephalitis cases and related deaths. This investigation aims to understand how the virus is spreading and to find effective ways to control it.
Vector Control Measures
Entomologists from the NCDC are in the affected areas to study the insects (vectors) responsible for spreading the Chandipura virus. Indoor residual spraying has been intensified in the areas with reported cases and the surrounding regions to control the sandflies, which are believed to transmit the virus to humans.
Health Surveillance
Health rapid response teams, along with Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), are conducting active surveillance. They are identifying cases early and ensuring timely referral of suspected cases to hospitals and medical colleges. These facilities provide round-the-clock specialist services and ventilator support.
Public Awareness Campaigns
To educate the public about the virus and how to prevent it, Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities have been initiated. These include media briefings, radio jingles, health education programs on Doordarshan, and news bulletins. House-to-house communication is also being conducted to directly inform households about preventive measures.
Advisory for Vector Control
The NCDC and the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) have issued a joint advisory. This advisory guides state governments on effective vector control measures and emphasizes the importance of timely referral of suspected cases to improve health outcomes. It also aims to raise community awareness about prevention strategies.
Emergency Coordination
The Public Health Emergency Operation Centre at the NCDC has been activated to coordinate the activities of the NJORT and provide necessary support to the field teams. The Government of India is closely monitoring the situation and working with state governments to manage the outbreak.
Health Minister J P Nadda assured that the government is committed to controlling the spread of the Chandipura virus and protecting public health.
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