National Team Deployed to Combat Chandipura Virus in Gujarat

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and a National Joint Outbreak Response Team have been deployed to Gujarat to investigate and control the ongoing Chandipura virus outbreak.

The virus, transmitted by vectors like the Phlebotomus papatasi sandfly, is associated with acute encephalitis syndrome and has historically shown a case-fatality ratio between 56 and 75 percent.

ICMR Director General Dr. Rajiv Bahl confirmed that teams have been investigating the disease for two years, with current efforts now focused on strengthening surveillance and developing new treatment approaches.