The National Institute of Virology (NIV) developed a vaccine for the Chandipura virus in 2005, but it garnered little interest due to the virus’s prolonged dormancy. The virus has re-emerged, creating a health crisis in over a dozen districts in Gujarat, with a mortality rate exceeding 50%. NIV reported the first death in the current outbreak, involving a four-year-old girl, taking suspected cases to 15. During the 2003-04 outbreaks, the virus led to significant fatalities, particularly among children in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Dr. Akhilesh Chandra Mishra, former director of NIV, explained that despite developing an effective vaccine during those earlier outbreaks, the sporadic nature of Chandipura virus and effective use of insecticides led to diminished interest from both the public and vaccine manufacturers. Mishra believes that the present outbreak will eventually subside as spraying insecticides remains a more practical solution than vaccination. He highlights that the virus’s impact is mainly on lower socio-economic groups living in ‘kutcha houses,’ where sandflies, the virus carriers, thrive.
As living standards improve and housing transitions from ‘kutcha’ to ‘pucca’ (permanent) structures, the breeding grounds for sandflies will diminish, likely curbing future outbreaks. Mishra reassures that while sporadic outbreaks may occur, there is no need to panic, emphasizing that prompt spraying of insecticides is the most effective measure.
Original Story https://www.news18.com/amp/india/niv-developed-chandipura-virus-vaccine-in-2005-but-found-no-takers-former-chief-to-news18-8971584.html
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