Author: Sumit Khanna

At least 56 deaths have been reported in India’s Gujarat state due to viral encephalitis, a disease caused by a viral infection spread by sand flies and ticks. The Chandipura virus, known to affect mostly children under 15, has been responsible for a quarter of these deaths in the last month. Gujarat Health Commissioner Harshad Patel mentioned that the outbreak predominantly affects children, prompting local health authorities to intensify surveillance and monitor cases closely. A total of 133 cases of viral encephalitis, including 47 cases caused by the Chandipura virus, have been recorded in the state with a population of…