Lok Sabha Question No. 3107 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-09
Subject: Cases of Chandipura Virus
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3107 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2024

## CASES OFCHANDIPURAVIRUS

## 3107. SMT. GENIBEN NAGAJI THAKOR: SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of deaths and cases of infection reported due to Chandipura virus recently including the affected regions and the demographics of the patients in the country, State/UT-wise particularly in Gujarat;

(b) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to contain the spread of the Chandipura virus and to treat the affected individuals;

(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to raise public awareness about the Chandipura virus, its symptoms, modes of transmission and preventive measures;

(d) whether the Government has initiated any enhanced surveillance and monitoring activities to detect and respond to potential outbreaks of the Chandipura virus in other regions, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether there are any ongoing research projects or collaborations with national and international health organizations to better understand the Chandipura virus and develop effective treatments/vaccines in the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) As on 6th August, 2024 a total of 61 cases of Chandipura Virus (CHPV)(59 from Gujarat and 2 from Rajasthan) have been reported. Of these 59 cases of CHPV, 27 have succumbed. All CHPV deaths are reported from Gujarat. State-wise and Age-wise details are at Annexure-I.

(b) & (c): The steps taken to prevent the outbreak of Chandipura virus and to raise public awareness about the Chandipura virus are at Annexure-II.

(d): Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) is an important program under National Health Mission that does the disease surveillance in the country. IDSP is implemented in all 36 States/UTs. The program is responsible for the surveillance of 33 plus epidemic prone diseases.

Feedback based on the analysis of the disease data is shared to the respective state and the district to take further necessary actions. The collected data helps in the timely management of the diseases and also for policy making purpose. Through surveillance mechanism the early warning signals are captured to generate alerts, detect outbreaks in the early rising phase. Outbreak investigations are conducted and timely appropriate measures are undertaken by the health department to control and prevent the further spread of the disease.

(e): To better understand the natural transmission cycle of Chandipura virus in the affected region, research is being undertaken by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)- National Institute of Virology (NIV) to identify the nature of arthropod transmission vectors, and any maintenance/intermediate non-human host involved.

Over a decade ago, ICMR-NIV has already developed two vaccine candidates, an inactivated vaccine and an envelope glycoprotein (G)- based recombinant vaccine, both of which were found to be very effective in preclinical studies. However, because of the very limited geographical distribution of the disease and the limited number of cases, these are awaiting further developments towards human clinical trials and commercialization thereof. Pre-clinical evaluation of Favipiravir by ICMR-NIV has established potential anti-viral activity against the Chandipura virus.

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3107 FOR 09.08.2024 REGARDING CASES OF CHANDIPURAVIRUS

| State-wise and Age-wise Distribution of Chandipura Virus Cases &Deaths reported in India in 2024 (as of 06.08.2024)   | State-wise and Age-wise Distribution of Chandipura Virus Cases &Deaths reported in India in 2024 (as of 06.08.2024)   | State-wise and Age-wise Distribution of Chandipura Virus Cases &Deaths reported in India in 2024 (as of 06.08.2024)   | State-wise and Age-wise Distribution of Chandipura Virus Cases &Deaths reported in India in 2024 (as of 06.08.2024)   | State-wise and Age-wise Distribution of Chandipura Virus Cases &Deaths reported in India in 2024 (as of 06.08.2024)   | State-wise and Age-wise Distribution of Chandipura Virus Cases &Deaths reported in India in 2024 (as of 06.08.2024)   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                       | Gujarat                                                                                                               | Gujarat                                                                                                               | Rajasthan                                                                                                             | Rajasthan                                                                                                             |
| S.no                                                                                                                  | Age (Years)                                                                                                           | Cases                                                                                                                 | Deaths                                                                                                                | Cases                                                                                                                 | Deaths                                                                                                                |
| 1                                                                                                                     | Less than 1                                                                                                           | 5                                                                                                                     | 2                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     |
| 2                                                                                                                     | 1 to 5                                                                                                                | 33                                                                                                                    | 12                                                                                                                    | 1                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     |
| 3                                                                                                                     | 6 to 10                                                                                                               | 14                                                                                                                    | 9                                                                                                                     | 1                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     |
| 4                                                                                                                     | 11 to 16                                                                                                              | 7                                                                                                                     | 4                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     |
| Total                                                                                                                 | Total                                                                                                                 | 59                                                                                                                    | 27                                                                                                                    | 2                                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                                     |

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) & (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3107 FOR 09.08.2024 REGARDING CASES OF CHANDIPURA VIRUS

## I. Outbreak Investigation:

- i. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) has been deployed to assist the Gujarat State Government for undertaking public health measures and for detailed epidemiological investigation into the outbreak. Experts from Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) & National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune are part of the NJORT.
- ii. A team from the NCDC, New Delhi, & ICMR NIV Pune is undertaking an epidemiological investigation into the Acute Encephalitis cases and related deaths.
- iii. Entomologists from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Government of India are stationed at the affected areas for undertaking entomological investigation to ascertain the vector involved in transmission of CHPV to human being.
- iv. Health rapid response teams and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) & Auxiliary Nurse and Midwifes (ANM) have conducted active surveillance for early identification of cases and timely referral of suspected cases to the nearby hospitals and medical colleges which are offering 24 hrs specialist services and ventilator support.

## II. Vector control activities:

Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) for control of vector (sandfly) has been intensified in the areas from which cases have been reported and covers adjoining areas.

## III. IEC activities:

- i. Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities have been initiated for awareness through Media Briefing, Radio Jingles, Health education programs on Doordarshan, News Bulletins and Do's & Don'ts to prevent and control the spread of disease.
- ii. House-to-House Interpersonal Communication through ASHA/ANM has also been initiated for direct communication with households to spread awareness and educate them about preventive measures.

## IV. Joint advisory issued by NCDC & NCVBDC:

A joint advisory has been issued by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) & National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC). The purpose of the advisory to ensure proper vector control measures are taken by State Governments. Along with that it provides guidance to the States for ensuring timely referral of suspected AES cases to designated facilities for improving the health outcomes. It also aims to create awareness among the community regarding prevention measures.

## V. Monitoring and Supervision:

- i. Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) at NCDC has been activated to coordinate the activities of the NJORT and provide requisite support to the field teams.
- ii. Government of India is closely monitoring and reviewing the situation in coordination with State Government.