India reports largest Chandipura virus outbreak in 2 decades

CIDRAP India has reported a surge in Chandipura virus infections this summer, with 245 acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) cases reported since July, with 82 of them fatal. So far, polymerase chain reaction testing has confirmed the virus in 64 cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in an August 23 outbreak announcement. Chandipura virus is endemic in India, and it is known to trigger sporadic cases and outbreaks of AES in western, southern, and central part of the country, especially during monsoon season. Outbreaks typically occur every 4 to 5 years in Gujarat state. The virus—a member of the Rhabdoviridae family—is transmitted by vectors that include sandflies, mosquitoes, and ticks.

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