Archive · 6 Aug 2026
India deploys outbreak response team as Chandipura virus spreads
In India, children in two states called Gujarat and Rajasthan have become very sick from a virus.
This virus is called Chandipura, and it can cause fever and swelling in the brain.
At least 22 children have sadly died from this illness.
To help, the Indian government sent a special team of health experts to those states.
The team is called the National Joint Outbreak Response Team.
These experts will work with local doctors to find out how the virus is spreading and how to stop it.
They will also check for insects like sandflies, mosquitoes, and ticks, which can spread the virus.
The virus mostly makes children between 9 months and 14 years old sick.
The government is also watching carefully for new cases and doing more tests.
The team will share what it learns so that children can be protected.
India's health ministry deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to Gujarat and Rajasthan on Wednesday, August 5, to strengthen the response to the Chandipura virus outbreak.
The Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV) outbreak has claimed the lives of at least 22 children in the state.
The Centre has stepped up disease surveillance, scientific investigations, and testing in the affected districts.
The team will assist with outbreak investigation, epidemiological assessment, clinical management, laboratory coordination, and vector surveillance.
Chandipura vesiculovirus (CHPV), first diagnosed in a Maharashtra village in 1965, is transmitted mainly by sandflies and primarily targets children aged 9 months to 14 years.
- Who
- India's health ministry, the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), and the health departments of Gujarat and Rajasthan; the virus primarily affects children aged 9 months to 14 years.
- What
- Deployment of a joint outbreak response team to strengthen the response to the Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV) outbreak, which has killed at least 22 children.
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, the day the team was deployed; the virus was first diagnosed in 1965.
- Where
- Gujarat and Rajasthan, India; the virus is named after a village in Maharashtra where the first case was diagnosed in 1965.
- Why
- To strengthen outbreak investigation, surveillance, clinical management, and public health measures in order to understand and contain the Chandipura virus outbreak.
- Disease
- Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV), caused by Chandipura vesiculovirus
- Fatalities
- At least 22 children
- Affected States
- Gujarat and Rajasthan, India
- Response Team
- National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT)
- Deployment Date
- Wednesday, August 5
- First Diagnosed
- 1965, in a village in Maharashtra, India
- Transmission
- Sandflies (primary vectors), mosquitoes, and ticks
- Primary Targets
- Children between 9 months and 14 years