Chandipura virus kills 25 children in Gujarat as spread baffles experts

A tiny germ called the Chandipura virus is making children very sick in India.

In about five weeks, it has killed 25 children in the state of Gujarat, and 39 children are known to have the infection.

The germ mostly makes children younger than 15 very sick, and it can cause their brains to swell, which is very dangerous.

Scientists are like detectives trying to find out how the germ spreads to people.

They think biting insects called sandflies might carry it, but they tested thousands of sandflies, mosquitoes and ticks and found nothing.

They are now checking other bugs and farm animals like cows, buffaloes and goats for clues.

This is not the first time this has happened — scientists were also confused during an outbreak in 2024.

The virus was first found in a village called Chandipura back in 1965, yet it still puzzles experts today.

Some scientists say researchers need to look for the germ much more often and in many more places.

Until the mystery is solved, doctors and scientists keep working to protect children.