Chandipura Virus Outbreak Prompts Joint Response Team

Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV) is a viral illness associated with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and has affected Gujarat and Rajasthan in August 2026. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to support outbreak control, surveillance, and clinical management in the two States.

Chandipura Virus Disease

Chandipura virus belongs to the genus Vesiculovirus in the family Rhabdoviridae. The virus was first identified in Chandipura village in Maharashtra in 1965, and it is known to cause AES in children, especially during the monsoon season.

Outbreak Response Mechanism

The NJORT includes experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). The team supports outbreak investigation, epidemiological assessment, laboratory coordination, vector surveillance, and public health measures.

State-Level Case Profile

As of 5 August 2026, Gujarat had 35 confirmed CHPV cases out of 184 suspected patients tested, with 22 deaths among children under 15 years. Rajasthan had three confirmed cases from Dungarpur and Sirohi districts, with two deaths linked to the virus.

Important Facts for Exams

• Chandipura virus is an RNA virus in the family Rhabdoviridae.
• Acute Encephalitis Syndrome is a clinical syndrome marked by fever, altered mental status, and neurological symptoms.
• The NCDC functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and handles disease surveillance in India.
• The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) is used for coordination during public health emergencies.

Public Health Context

CHPV cases in India are monitored through laboratory testing, vector surveillance, and field investigation in affected districts. Children under 15 years remain the main affected age group in reported outbreaks.