Chandipura Vesiculovirus (CHPV)
Chandipura vesiculovirus (CHPV) is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family that is associated with an encephalitic illness, Chandipura encephalitis or Chandipura viral encephalitis, in humans. It was first identified in 1965 after isolation from the blood of two patients from Chandipura village in Maharashtra state, India and has been associated with a number of otherwise unexplained outbreaks of encephalitic illness in central India. In June–August 2003, 329 children affected and 183 died in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra states of India. Further sporadic cases and deaths in children were observed in Gujarat state in 2004.[4]
Chandipura vesiculovirus has been isolated from sandflies in India and West Africa and is probably spread through its bite. The presence of the virus in Africa indicates a wide distribution although no human cases have been observed outside India.
It was first identified in 1965 during an outbreak of encephalitis in Chandipura village in Maharashtra, India, hence its name, Chandipura virus.
Chandipura vesiculovirus is an enveloped RNA virus with an approximate genome length of ~11 kb. Viral genome codes for five polypeptides, namely, nucleocapsid protein N, phosphoprotein P, matrix protein M, glycoprotein G and large protein L in five monocistronic mRNAs.
Symptoms of Chandipura virus infection typically include fever, headache, convulsions, and unconsciousness, progressing rapidly to coma and death in severe cases. There is no specific treatment or vaccine available for Chandipura virus infection, so management focuses on supportive care and prevention measures such as mosquito control.
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