Centre Deploys Outbreak Team as Chandipura Virus Probe Expands in Gujarat and Rajasthan

Central Government takes important steps against the outbreaks of the Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV), it has sent a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. While the cases are under investigation, various national agencies have come together to research the virus, steps up disease surveillance, and helps streamline outbreak management. The collective effort intends to find out how the virus spreads, track potential reservoirs and vectors, and offer assistance to the state governments in executing timely health interventions.

What is the Latest Update?

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent a National Joint Outbreak Response Team, which includes professionals from,

• National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
• Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)

The expert team will coordinate work with the state governments of Gujarat and Rajasthan in respect of the outbreak investigations, monitoring the disease spread, increasing the surveillance, performing laboratory tests, and directing the patients’ treatment.

The sending of the team comes as part of the Centro efforts to intensify scientific study work within the framework of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) with NCDC coordinating Cefforts with departments of health at state level.

What is the Reason for the Deployment of the Outbreak Response Team by the Centre?

A coordinated scientific response is necessary, as there are still some aspects of the Chandipura virus that remain unclear.

The NJORT will take the following actions,

• Conduct epidemiological investigations.
• Facilitate patient management and care.
• Improve diagnostics.
• Increase surveillance for the outbreak.
• Monitor the vectors causing the outbreak.
• Offer suggestions for health interventions.

Furthermore, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre of the NCDC has been activated to coordinate work in the field and implement rapid response capabilities.

Investigation Comprises Multi-Group Organization

In order to comprehensively analyze the situation of the disease outbreak, several of the leading research groups are collaborating towards gathering more information.

The research bodies involved in the investigation are,

• National Virology Institute (NIV)
• National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE)
• National Institute of Vector-Borne Diseases Research (NIVCR)
• National Veterinary Epidemiology Institute and Our Work in Disease Informatics(NIVEDI)

A number of important aspects are being studied by researchers,

• Transmission characteristics of the coronavirus
• Signs and symptoms of the disease
• Commonly studied trends in epidemiology
• Possible ways of treatment
• Genetic information about the respect of the virus

The results should allow developing measures against the outbreak based on solid facts and findings.

Improved Monitoring in Affected Regions

Medical professionals have greatly intensified surveillance in areas that have reported suspected cases.

Continuous monitoring is being carried out of the patients who have,

• Acute Febrile Illness (AFI)
• Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES)

Surveys at the community level are being done in parallel to assess,

• The extent of infection being spread in impacted community.
• The number of asymptomatic cases.
• The amount of virus generally being transmitted.

This data will assist authorities in getting a clearer picture of the extent of the outbreak and determining the vulnerable people.