A dangerous disease is spreading… causing deaths and affecting only children

The Al-Hurra website reported that viral encephalitis has killed at least 56 people in the western Indian state of Gujarat, prompting the authorities to intensify their investigation into the disease. caused by a viral infection that is often spread by sandflies and ticks.

Viral encephalitis can cause a high fever, and in many cases it affects the brain.

The disease is common in a few parts of India during the monsoon season, but many deaths in the state of Gujarat have been caused by the Chandipora virus, a relatively new form known to affect children under the age of 15. mostly a year.

Gujarat Health Commissioner Harshad Patel said that of the 56 deaths over the past month, a quarter of them were confirmed to have died from the Chandipora virus.

“Almost all the patients are children,” Patel said of the outbreak, “As far as I know, this virus only affects children. “

Patel said that local health authorities have been monitoring encephalitis cases for a month and will continue to closely monitor infections among the general population, and strengthen surveillance in areas that have reporting issues.

The state government said in a statement that 133 cases of viral encephalitis, including 47 cases caused by the Chandipora virus, were recorded in the state, which has a population of 70 million, in one month. (free)