#Chandipura Virus Outbreak

[nancykhemchandani]

Understanding Chandipura Virus: Symptoms & Prevention

Learn about Chandipura virus infection, its symptoms, transmission, and prevention methods to protect your health.

[medtalksblog]

Chandipura Virus and Its Role in Viral Encephalitis

Chandipura virus (CHPV) is an emerging pathogen responsible for viral encephalitis outbreaks, particularly in India. First identified in 1965 in Chandipura village, Maharashtra, CHPV belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family. It has gained notoriety for causing acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), primarily in children, with high mortality rates. While not as globally known as other encephalitis-causing viruses, CHPV poses a significant public health challenge in affected regions.

Epidemiology and Outbreaks

CHPV outbreaks have been reported sporadically across India, with the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh being most affected. The virus predominantly impacts children aged between 2 and 16 years. CHPV transmission occurs via sandflies (Phlebotomus spp. and Sergentomyia spp.), which thrive in warm and humid environments. Outbreaks often coincide with the monsoon season, as the vector population increases during this period. The mortality rate in CHPV-induced encephalitis is alarmingly high, with many cases proving fatal within 48 to 72 hours of symptom onset.

Transmission and Pathogenesis

CHPV is transmitted through the bite of an infected sandfly. Once the virus enters the human body, it spreads rapidly through the bloodstream to multiple organs, including the brain. The exact mechanism by which CHPV crosses the blood-brain barrier is not fully understood, but it is believed that the virus either infects immune cells or directly invades the cells lining the blood vessels. Once inside the central nervous system (CNS), CHPV causes severe inflammation, leading to encephalitis. Neuronal damage, cell death, and brain swelling are the hallmark features of this disease.

The incubation period for CHPV is typically 2 to 7 days, after which symptoms such as high fever, seizures, altered mental status, and coma rapidly develop. Due to the fast progression of the disease, it often proves fatal in a short time, especially in children with weakened immune systems.

Clinical Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms of CHPV-induced encephalitis are often nonspecific and overlap with other viral encephalitis, making early diagnosis challenging. Common symptoms include:

High fever

Headache

Vomiting

Convulsions

Altered consciousness

Coma

Laboratory confirmation of CHPV involves detecting viral RNA in blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Additionally, serological tests that detect CHPV-specific IgM antibodies can aid in diagnosis. Early detection is critical due to the disease's rapid progression.

Treatment and Management

No specific antiviral treatment exists. Supportive care involves managing fever, seizures, and brain swelling. Antipyretics, anticonvulsants, and diuretics like mannitol are used to reduce intracranial pressure. Severe cases may require intensive care and intravenous fluids.

Preventive strategies focus on vector control:

Using insect repellent

Installing bed nets

Wearing protective clothing

Reducing sandfly breeding sites

Public health efforts emphasize community awareness and early outbreak detection.

Research and Future Directions 

Ongoing research is exploring the virus's mechanisms and potential vaccines. Innovative technologies are also being studied to enhance CHPV management and prevention strategies.

Conclusion 

CHPV is a serious cause of viral encephalitis in India, with a high fatality rate among children. Early diagnosis and supportive care are essential, while research and preventive efforts remain critical to control future outbreaks.

[audiopedia2016]

What is CHANDIPURA VIRUS? What does CHANDIPURA VIRUS mean? CHANDIPURA VIRUS meaning - CHANDIPURA VIRUS definition - CHANDIPURA VIRUS explanation. Source: Wikipedia.org article, adapted under http://ift.tt/yjiNZw license. Chandipura virus (CHPV) is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family that is associated with an encephalitic illness in humans. It was first identified in 1965 after isolation from the blood of two patients from Chandipura village in Maharashtra state, India and has been associated with a number of otherwise unexplained outbreaks of encephalitic illness in central India. The most recent occurred in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in June–August 2003 with 329 children affected and 183 deaths. Further sporadic cases and deaths in children were observed in Gujarat state in 2004. Chandipura virus has been isolated from sandflies in India and West Africa and is probably spread through its bite. The presence of the virus in Africa indicates a wide distribution although no human cases have been observed outside India. The significance of Chandipura virus as a human pathogen is unresolved due to doubts over its role in the 2003 and 2004 outbreaks. Chandipura virus is an enveloped RNA virus with an approximate genome length of ~11 kb. Viral genome codes for five polypeptides, namely, Nucleocapsid protein N, Phosphoprotein P, Matrix protein M, Glycoprotein G and Large protein L in five monocistronic mRNAs. N protein encapsidates genome RNA into a nuclease resistant form to protect in from cellular RNAse function. L and P protein together forms viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase; where catalytic functions for RNA polymerization, Capping and Poly-A polymerase resides within the L protein and P acts as a transcriptional activator. Matrix protein glues the encapsidated genome RNA, also known as nucleocapsid, with the outer membrane envelop. G protein spikes out of the membrane and acts as a major antigenic determinant. Viral life cycle is cytosolic. During transcription, viral polymerase synthesizes five discrete mRNAs and obeys to stop signals that are present at the gene boundaries. Accumulation of adequate amounts of viral proteins within infected cells through viral transcription and subsequent translation potentiate the onset of viral replicative cycle. In this phase, same L protein acts as a replicase and ignore the gene junctions to generate a polycistronic anti-genomic analogue that acts as a template for further rounds of replication to generate many more copies of the genome RNA. This progeny genome RNA upon packaging by viral proteins bud out as mature virus particles. The precise mechanism underlying the switch in polymerase function during viral replication remains unknown. An outbreak in Gujarat in Kheda District, Vadodara District, and Panchmahal District had killed 17 people in 2010. Sandfly bites are blamed as they inhabit cracks in walls or parts of homes made of sand or mud.