3 kids die of suspected Chandipura virus in Dahod

VADODARA: Three children died due to suspected Chandipura virus outbreak in a village in Dahod district. Nine other suspected cases are being treated at hospitals in Devgadh Baria and Vadodara. A boy and a girl died at Bara village of Devgadh Baria taluka in Dahod district while one girl shifted from the village to Godhra died late on Saturday. With the cases being reported to the district administration, health officials rushed to the village on Sunday.
A door-to-door survey and history of the patients revealed the possibility of Chandipura virus being responsible for the deaths. Dahod chief district health officer Dr J J Pandya said while blood samples of all the suspected cases had been sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune to confirm the reason, the symptoms were very similar to Chandipura viral fever.
Pandya said three children and three adults were being treated for fever at the sub-district hospital at Devgadh Baria while three others were been referred to SSG Hospital (SSGH) at Vadodara. Doctors at the SSGH said a boy and a girl were being treated at the department of paediatrics, while a 16-year old patient was in the ICU. The patient in the ICU is being given supportive treatment for symptoms of advanced stage of the viral infection.
Doctors at SSGH said early symptoms of the infection resemble those of a viral infection. However, at advanced stages it can cause encephalitis and trigger convulsions and fits.
Pandya said dusting had been conducted at houses in Bara to kill sandflies that may have spread the infection. "A rapid response team from SSGH has also been pressed into action even as doctors and paramedic staff will remain present at a makeshift hospital at the school in the village. Arrangements have also been made at the nearest primary health centre at Dabva village and Devgadh Baria," he said.