Gandhinagar: Gujarat has recorded 217 suspected cases of Chandipura virus since June 30, with 39 testing positive and 23 deaths reported among confirmed patients, according to the latest state health department figures on Saturday.
The data covers the period from June 30 to August 8 and shows that laboratory testing has been completed for most of the suspected cases.
Test results for 208 of the 217 samples have been received, while reports for nine samples are still awaited.
The latest figures mark an increase from the numbers reported in earlier health department briefings as the state expanded surveillance and testing.
On July 14, the health department had reported 27 suspected cases, of which seven were positive and 12 negative, while results for eight samples were pending. At that stage, three children who had tested positive had died.
The outbreak had initially drawn attention in Panchmahal district, where two young children from villages in Godhra taluka died after being infected with the virus.
The cases prompted the health department to intensify door-to-door surveillance and insecticide spraying in the affected areas. Officials said hundreds of health teams were deployed in Panchmahal to examine residents and collect samples.
By mid-July, the number of suspected infections had increased further, with health authorities reporting cases from several districts.
Chandipura virus is primarily transmitted by sandflies and can cause acute encephalitis syndrome, particularly in children.
The illness can progress rapidly, making early recognition and treatment important. The latest state figures also come after an earlier briefing in the first week of August reported 184 suspected cases, 35 confirmed infections and 22 deaths.
The new figures therefore indicate a further rise in both suspected and laboratory-confirmed cases, as well as one additional death.
Health authorities have continued surveillance and laboratory testing to identify suspected infections and monitor the spread of the virus across the state.
The nine pending laboratory reports will determine whether additional suspected cases are confirmed.
(IANS)
