Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 23 (ANI): Indian scientists are actively working on developing a vaccine and antiviral treatments for the Chandipura virus, a deadly pathogen that causes encephalitis, particularly in children, according to Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.
“Both vaccine and antivirals for Chandipura virus are in the development phase and not available in the market at the moment,” Dr. Kumar told ANI. He noted that Favipiravir has shown effectiveness in inhibiting the virus’s growth in cell and animal models, and human trials for the drug are expected to begin soon.
First identified in 1965, the Chandipura virus primarily affects children between the ages of 5 and 15 and can cause encephalitis, often resulting in death within 24 to 48 hours of infection. The virus is transmitted through the bite of sandflies, and its symptoms include fever, vomiting, and sudden loss of consciousness.
Dr. Pragya Yadav, Director-in-Charge at the National Institute of One Health in Nagpur, explained that while diagnostic tools for the Chandipura virus exist due to its long history, no effective antivirals or vaccines are currently available. “The challenge with Chandipura disease is that we have a diagnosis because this is an old disease, but we don’t have antivirals or vaccines. But ICMR is speedily working on its research work, and multi-sectoral efforts are underway,” Dr. Yadav said.
The virus poses a significant public health concern in several Indian states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)
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