Chandipura Virus

Science and Technology / Health · Saturday, 25 July 2026

Nine deaths, including two young girls from Rajasthan receiving treatment in Gujarat, were confirmed due to a Chandipura virus outbreak. CHPV is a vector-borne Rhabdoviridae family virus that causes Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and is especially dangerous for children below 15 years of age.

Quick highlights

CHPV belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family, the same family as the rabies-causing Lyssavirus.
It causes Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, a rapid and life-threatening inflammation of active brain tissues.
It was first isolated in 1965 from Chandipura village in Maharashtra.
Major outbreaks occurred in 2003-2004 across Maharashtra, northern Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with CFRs of 55%-78%.
It spreads mainly through infected female Phlebotomine sandflies and select mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti.
There is no approved antiviral drug or preventive vaccine; treatment is supportive and symptomatic.

Context

Nine deaths, including two young girls from Rajasthan receiving treatment in Gujarat, were confirmed due to the Chandipura virus outbreak.

Key Facts

The Chandipura virus is an acute vector-borne pathogen of the Rhabdoviridae family. It causes Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and was first isolated in 1965 from human serum samples during an outbreak in Chandipura village, Maharashtra. It is endemic to central and western India, especially rural, tribal and peripheral areas of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

Significance

CHPV almost exclusively targets children below 15 years of age and can progress from fever, headache, body ache and vomiting to seizures, altered sensorium, brain inflammation and death within 24 to 48 hours of hospital admission.

Challenges / Way Forward

There is no approved antiviral drug or preventive vaccine for CHPV. Treatment depends on emergency supportive care in intensive care units, while prevention requires attention to vector breeding conditions such as cracked mud walls, cattle sheds and kutcha rural housing during the monsoon.

Exam Angle

Important for prelims and GS Paper III under science and technology, public health, vector-borne diseases, Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and outbreak management.

Remember this

CHPV belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family.
It causes Acute Encephalitis Syndrome.
First isolated in 1965 at Chandipura village, Maharashtra.
Main vector: infected female Phlebotomine sandflies.
Aedes aegypti is also mentioned as a select mosquito vector.
Children below 15 years are highly vulnerable.
CHPV does not transmit directly from human to human.
There is no approved vaccine or specific antiviral.

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