Pune: Since 2007 to 2010, the Chandipura virus has killed 67 people in the state. This virus was first discovered by the Pune’s NIV (National Institute of Virology) in 1965. The outburst of this virus has been a periodic incidence in the state though with small gaps in the number of cases noted in the year 2006- 07.

State Entomologist B R mane said, “The state health department has prepared a micro-plan to control transmission of the virus in endemic areas. Field workers and health personnel are being trained as part of the pre-monsoon preparation because sand flies breed mostly during rains.”

A Sandfly, which is responsible for spreading the Chandipura virus, is also the cause of ‘Kaala Azaar’. It is a chronic and potentially an incurable parasitic disease which is mostly seen active in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Mane further said, “The Vidarbha region of the state is primarily endemic to the transmission of Chandipura virus. The outbreaks in the last three years occurred mostly in Bhandara, Chandrapur, Wardha, Nagpur and Gadchiroli districts. Amravati too has reported a few suspected cases since 2009.”

The year of 2009- 10 was the year when most of the cases were reported where 88 people were infected and 15 died. Most of the infected patients were of a minimal age group of below 14. Those 74 samples were sent to NIV, out of which 49 tested positive, said a report issued by the state health department.

Prevention is better than cure! If you are suffering from such a fever then the symptoms alerting are sudden high fever along with headache, convulsions and vomiting, sometimes followed by unconsciousness also. There is no cure or medicine specifically designed for the infection. Admitting in the hospital and providing symptomatic treatment to the patient is the most common method to deal with the infection.

Anuja Bagaitkar