What happened in Rajasthan (surveillance escalation after confirmed CHPV-positive deaths)

Rajasthan’s health administration increased surveillance and vector-control measures in Dungarpur, Sirohi, and surrounding areas after reports confirmed that two children who died in Gujarat tested positive for Chandipura virus (CHPV).

The reported deaths included a six-year-old from Ratanpura village in Dungarpur district and a two-year-old from Sirohi district.

CHPV is described as an emerging vector-borne infection that affects mainly children under 15 years. Reported clinical features include fever and flu-like symptoms, with a serious outcome acute encephalitis (acute inflammation of the brain). CHPV transmission is described as involving mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies.

Background and earlier position (how vector-borne outbreaks are handled)

For vector-borne infections, outbreak response generally relies on two linked tracks: strengthened surveillance to detect suspected cases early and vector-control to reduce human contact with disease-carrying vectors. When the vulnerable group is children under 15 years and disease can progress to acute encephalitis, rapid identification and urgent medical assessment of fever with neurological signs become operational priorities.

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