India concealing extent of Chandipura virus outbreak - virus now also found in Rajasthan with 4 children dead

Medical News: Concealing the Crisis - A Troubling Pattern
Both federal and state health authorities in India are under scrutiny for concealing and downplaying the seriousness of the Chandipura virus outbreak. This virus, which is particularly lethal to children, is now suspected to be infecting hundreds, including adults, across the country. The information released by health authorities is often conflicting, and even local mainstream and Medical News media are struggling to get accurate answers.


India concealing extent of Chandipura virus outbreak - virus now also found in
Rajasthan with 4 children dead

Rising Death Toll: The Hard-Hit Regions
The outbreak has so far claimed the lives of 52 children, excluding the recent cases from Rajasthan, and has possibly affected hundreds more, with Gujarat being the hardest hit.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/world-needs-to-focus-on-chandipura-virus-outbreak-in-india-as-spread-escalates-and-death-toll-reaches-52
 
There is growing suspicion that the virus has now spread to at least nine states in India, including Karnataka and Rajasthan. Also, there is a very high possibly that the actual death and infection rates are far much more than what is being officially reported. The fact that there is a growing number of pediatric cases of so- called unexplained AES or acute encephalitis syndrome in many states and also deaths attributed to the same AES condition…further adds to the speculation that Chandipura virus infections are really higher than what is being reported.
 
Even local Indian journalist are claiming that state officials in Gujerat are trying to downplay or conceal the seriousness of the outbreak.
https://x.com/BrendanMIRROR/status/1818132734763536593
 
Strategies Indian authorities are using to down play or conceal data involve simply classifying deaths as unexplained conditions and not doing any testing and in in many cases, infections are randomly classified according to symptoms and no test are conducted.
 
Rajasthan: The Latest Victim
Rajasthan is the latest state to report fatalities from the Chandipura virus, with at least four children dead and many others infected.
 
The Times of India reported that the first confirmed case of the virus in Rajasthan was detected only recently, with 20 out of 24 suspected cases testing negative and three more undergoing further evaluation.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/1st-case-of-chandipura-in-rajasthan-confirmed-3-year-old-in-dungarpur/articleshow/112105592.cms
 
&n bsp;In contrast, the Hindustan Times reported that as early as July 19, local officials had confirmed the deaths of four children due to the Chandipura virus based on test results, with several more infected.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/jaipur-news/2-suspected-cases-of-chandipura-virus-in-rajasthan-health-department-on-alert-101721392361302.html
 
First Confirmed Case? -A 3-Year-Old in Dungarpur
A three-year-old boy receiving treatment at the government medical college hospital in Dungarpur tested positive for the Chandipura virus, according to a report released by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The boy, from the Badia sub-health center area in Bicchiwara block of Dungarpur, has shown improvement in his condition. His sample was sent to NIV Pune due to symptoms resembling those of the Chandipura virus, a member of the Rhabdoviridae family known to cause sporadic cases in some parts of the country during the monsoon season. The virus is transmitted by vectors such as sand flies and ticks.
 
Following an alert from neighboring Gujarat on July 11, Rajasthan’s health department increased surveillance in border areas of Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara, Sirohi, and Jalore. Health department teams have been conducting door-to-door surveys to assess the health of children in these areas.
 
Further Suspected Cases: A Growing Concern
In the past two weeks, four children suspected to have contracted the Chandipura virus have died in Dungarpur district. The state health department is on high alert as two more cases have been reported. The suspected cases involve a four-year-old girl from Ramsor Bagdi village and a three-year-old boy from Baldiya, both admitted to the government hospital in Dungarpur with symptoms of the virus, including vomiting and diarrhea. Samples from these children have been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for confirmation.
 
Dungarpur's chief medical health officer stated that teams of doctors and nurses have been dispatched to the affected villages to examine children and admit those showing symptoms to the hospital. Despite these efforts, there remains a significant challenge in identifying and confirming cases due to the limited number of samples taken and the varied symptoms presented by the virus.
 
A Historical Perspective: The Chandipura Virus
The Chandipura virus (CHPV), a rare but potentially deadly pathogen, was first detected in Chandipura, Maharashtra, in 1966. It primarily affects children under 15 years old and can lead to severe outcomes, including death. The virus recently gained attention after being suspected of causing the deaths of 14 children in Gujarat over two weeks, with 29 others potentially infected. Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, convulsions, and unconsciousness, which can progress to coma and death in severe cases. The virus is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus within the Rhabdoviridae family and is transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies.
 
Inconsistent Reporting: Confusion and Concern
The federal and various state health departments’ response to the outbreak has been marred by inconsistent reporting and confusion. While surveillance and early detection efforts have been ramped up, there are still significant gaps in information and coordination. The departments have been shifting its focus from mere surveillance to active early detection and treatment, with teams visiting villages to examine children and monitor those admitted to hospitals with symptoms of the virus.
 
This discrepancy in reporting and the lack of clear communication have contributed to growing public anxiety and mistrust.
 
Conclusion: The Need for Transparency and Action
The Chandipura virus outbreak in India highlights the critical need for transparency and effective communication from health authorities. As the virus continues to spread and claim lives, especially among children, it is imperative that both federal and state health departments provide accurate information and take decisive actions to control the outbreak. Enhanced surveillance, prompt diagnosis, and effective treatment protocols are essential to mitigate the impact of this deadly virus and restore public confidence in the health system.
 
For the more updates on the Chandipura virus outbreak in India, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/chandipura-virus-outbreak-escalating-in-india-cases-now-in-three-states-with-gujerat-reporting-84-cases-and-32-deaths
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/chandipura-vesiculovirus-outbreak-emerges-in-gujerat-india-killing-4-hospitalizing-2-more-cases-expected
 
https://x.com/ThailandMedicaX