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Viral sleeping sickness leaves 56 dead in India's Gujarat in a month

Viral encephalitis has caused a minimum of 56 deaths in India's western state of Gujarat, requiring authorities to step up monitoring for the illness caused by a viral infection often spread by sand flies and ticks.

Viral sleeping sickness, which can cause high fever and in numerous cases impact the brain, is common in numerous parts of India throughout the monsoon season, but many of the deaths in Gujarat were triggered by the Chandipura infection, a reasonably brand-new type that is understood to affect mostly kids under 15.

Of the 56 dead over the last month, a quarter were confirmed to have actually passed away from the Chandipura virus, Gujarat Health Commissioner Harshad Patel stated.

Practically all the patients are children. As far as I understand, this virus affects only children, Patel informed about the break out.

Patel stated that regional health authorities have actually been keeping track of sleeping sickness cases for a month and would continue to keep a close eye on infections in the general population, stepping up surveillance in areas which have reported cases.

An overall of 133 cases of viral encephalitis, including 47 cases triggered by the Chandipura infection, have actually been registered in the state of 70 million individuals in a month, the state government said in a declaration.

The Chandipura infection, named after a town in the western state of Maharashtra where it was very first found, is known to trigger erratic cases of sleeping sickness and there have been outbreaks in the western, main and southern parts of the country, a health ministry declaration stated recently.

It is sent by vectors such as sand flies and ticks. It is to be kept in mind that vector control, health, and awareness are the only steps readily available versus the disease, the declaration stated.

Cases of viral sleeping sickness first emerged in two northern districts of Gujarat last month. However, more cases have given that been signed up from across more than 2 dozen districts, according to government data.

(source: Reuters)