National Team Deployed to Gujarat for Chandipura Virus Outbreak

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to Gujarat and Rajasthan to combat the ongoing Chandipura virus outbreak.

ICMR Director General Dr. Rajiv Bahl confirmed that national experts are working with state authorities to investigate the virus, which has a historical case-fatality ratio of 56 to 75 per cent.

The virus, transmitted by vectors like sandflies, is associated with acute encephalitis syndrome in children, with the NCDC Public Health Emergency Operations Centre now activated to support containment efforts.