New Delhi : In early June this year, an outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) began in Gujarat, in children under 15 years of age and as of July 31, 140 AES cases were reported in the state out of which 59 have died. A declining trend of the daily reported new cases of AES has been evident since 19th July 2024
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 148 AES cases have been reported in India of which 140 are from 24 districts of Gujarat, four from Madhya Pradesh, three from Rajasthan and one from Maharashtra.
The 51 cases of Chandipura virus (CHPV) have been confirmed, the Ministry stated. The situation was reviewed on Thursday jointly by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) and Director, National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and the DG Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
MD NHM of Madhya Pradesh, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) units and Regional offices of Health and Family Welfare of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat, NJORT members from NIV, NCDC and faculty from NCDC, ICMR and National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) participated in the review meeting.
A declining trend of the daily reported new cases of AES has been evident since July 19. Gujarat has undertaken various public health measures such as insecticidal spray for vector control, IEC, sensitization of medical personnel and timely referral of cases to designated facilities.
A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) has been deployed to assist the Gujarat State Government in undertaking public health measures and conducting a detailed epidemiological investigation into the outbreak. A joint advisory from NCDC and NCVBDC is being issued to guide the neighbouring States reporting AES cases.
CHPV is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family and known to cause sporadic cases and outbreaks in western, central and southern parts of the Country, especially during the monsoon season.
It is transmitted by vectors such as sand flies and ticks. Vector control, hygiene and awareness are the only measures available against the disease.
The disease affects mostly children under 15 years of age and can present with a febrile illness that may progress to convulsions, coma and in some cases, may result in death. Although there is no specific treatment available for CHPV and management is symptomatic, timely referral of suspected AES cases to designated facilities can improve outcomes.