2. The CHPV infection was first isolated in 1965 while investigating a dengue/chikungunya outbreak in Maharashtra. The virus gets its name from the geographical site where it was first detected (Chandipura in Northern Maharashtra).

3. CHPV is a virus of the Rhabdoviridae family, which also includes other members such as the lyssavirus that causes rabies. Several species of sandflies, like Phlebotomine sandflies and Phlebotomus papatasi, and some mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti (which is also the vector for dengue), are considered vectors of CHPV.

4. The virus resides in the salivary glands of these insects and can be transmitted to humans or other vertebrates, like domestic animals, through bites. The infection caused by the virus can then reach the central nervous system, which can lead to encephalitis — inflammation of the active tissues of the brain.

What are symptoms of CHPV infection?

5. The CHPV infection presents initially with flu-like symptoms, such as acute onset of fever, body ache, and headache. It may then progress to altered sensorium or seizures and encephalitis.

6. Retrospective studies from India have also reported other symptoms such as respiratory distress, bleeding tendencies, or anaemia. The infection often progresses rapidly after encephalitis, which may then lead to mortality within 24-48 hours of hospitalisation, according to studies. Susceptibility has largely remained limited to children below 15 years. 

Why are certain regions more vulnerable?

7. One of the most significant outbreaks of the disease in India was seen in 2003-04 in states such as Maharashtra, northern Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, with the three states reporting more than 300 deaths of children.

8. Gujarat, during the 2004 outbreak, saw a case fatality rate (CFR) of around 78% while CFR in Andhra Pradesh, during the 2003 outbreak, was pegged at around 55%.

9. The infection has largely remained endemic to central India, where the population of CHPV infection-spreading sandflies and mosquitoes is higher.

10. According to medical experts, the outbreaks are often reported in rural, tribal and peripheral areas, and the same may have a correlation with the prevalence of sandflies in these areas. There is also a seasonal aspect to the infection where outbreaks are reported more when the sandflies’ population increases.

11. As per Gujarat based pediatrician Dr Rajesh Jeswani, a lot of kutcha houses also use cow dung paint or maybe making cow dung cakes, which in turn attracts sandflies. Additionally, the outbreaks are more pronounced because sandflies multiply more during the monsoon season. 

How is the Chandipura virus managed?

12. The infection can only be symptomatically managed as currently there is no specific antiretroviral therapy or vaccine available for treatment. As a result, it becomes crucial to manage brain inflammation to prevent mortality.

13. Disease progression can be as rapid as a patient reporting high fever in the morning, and their kidneys or liver being affected by the evening. This makes it harder to manage the symptoms, according to several paediatricians.

Why do vector-borne diseases peak during and post monsoon?

15. Monsoon amplifies the conduciveness for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects to multiply, making diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and Chandipura virus more common.

16. Heavy rain and waterlogging create the ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes as water accumulates in puddles, drains, flower pots, tyres, coolers, tanks, and construction sites. Moreover, mosquitoes multiply quicker when warm weather is followed by rain.

— For example, Dengue cases have risen 1,312% from 1996, and now have a presence in every state and UT in the country. Recent studies point to a climate change link – warmer temperatures have helped mosquitoes spread, thrive and multiply.

17. Several studies have also shown that climate change has helped mosquitoes to thrive and multiply even in areas where they weren’t present before. This has led to an increasing number of outbreaks of infections such as Zika virus, chikungunya, malaria and dengue, around the world.

18. Climate change induced warm temperatures and extreme rainfall events help spread many vector-borne diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), changes in rainfall and temperature can increase the spread of disease-carrying insects and extend the transmission season.

BEYOND THE NUGGET: What is one health approach?

1. As zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate change, and environmental degradation pose new and severe public health challenges (like Covid-19), the need for a unified health approach has become increasingly evident.

2. According to the World Health Organisation—  One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent.

3. The overarching purpose is to encourage collaborations in research and sharing of knowledge at multiple levels across various disciplines like human health, animal health, plants, soil, environmental and ecosystem health in ways that improve, protect and defend the health of all species.

4. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) introduced the term “One World-One Health” in 2007 along with 12 recommendations (the Manhattan Principles) that focused on establishing a more holistic approach to preventing epidemic disease and maintaining ecosystem integrity.

5. By linking humans, animals and the environment, One Health can help to address the full spectrum of disease control – from prevention to detection, preparedness, response and management – and contribute to global health security.

6. In India, the impacts Covid pandemic, outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease in cattle and the constant threat of Avian Influenza demonstrate the need to address diseases across all sectors.

7. Considering this, The Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) approved the National One Health Mission with a cross-ministerial effort which will serve to coordinate, support, and integrate all the existing One Health activities in the country and fill gaps where it is appropriate. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the implementing agency for One Health Mission.

8. The Mission seeks to strengthen coordination among the human, animal and environmental health sectors to improve pandemic preparedness and integrated disease control. It also aims to establish early warning systems through integrated surveillance and enhance preparedness for endemic diseases as well as emerging epidemic and pandemic threats. 

Post Read Questions

(1) With reference to the Chandipura virus (CHPV), consider the following statements:

1. It belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family of viruses.

2. It is transmitted primarily by sandflies, although some mosquito species may also act as vectors.

3. A licensed vaccine is available for its prevention.

How many of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

(2) Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), frequently mentioned in news, refers to:

(a) A disease caused exclusively by Chandipura virus.

(b) Inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection.

(c) A clinical syndrome characterised by inflammation of the brain that can have multiple causes.

(d) A bacterial disease transmitted by mosquitoes.

Answer Key

1. (a), 2. (c)

(Sources: 2 children from Rajasthan die of Chandipura virus: What is the infection and who is susceptible to it?, Knowledge Nugget | From Hantavirus to COVID-19: Understanding viral diseases in news, Mosquitoes & climate change: How rising temperatures are adding to the bite and buzz)

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