Gandhinagar, July 13 (IANS) The Gujarat government has stepped up surveillance, treatment and vector-control measures to contain the Chandipura virus after confirming seven positive cases from 19 laboratory-tested samples and reporting three child deaths linked to the infection this year.

The state government’s response was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya at the Secretariat in Gandhinagar on Monday.

Senior officials reviewed the current situation and directed the health department to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure timely treatment and intensify preventive measures across affected areas.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Pansheriya said laboratory testing was being carried out on a priority basis to ensure early diagnosis.

“Laboratory testing for the accurate diagnosis of the Chandipura virus is progressing rapidly. Of the 27 suspected cases, results for 19 have been received. Seven have tested positive and 12 negative, while the results of the remaining eight samples are expected by this evening,” he said.

The minister expressed grief over the deaths of three children who had tested positive for the virus this year and instructed the health department to ensure that no further lives are lost.

“The Health Department, in coordination with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), had issued guidelines to all paediatric specialists in the state and directed them to remain in close coordination with the department’s headquarters in Gandhinagar,” he said.

Doctors running smaller health centres and private clinics have also been instructed to provide immediate primary care and, without delay, refer suspected Chandipura patients to larger hospitals equipped with oxygen and ventilator facilities.

Pansheriya said preventive measures had been completed at all 61 locations where Chandipura virus cases were reported in Gujarat during 2024.

“Health Department teams have completed medicine spraying and public awareness programmes on a war footing at all 61 locations where Chandipura virus cases were reported last year. Not a single new case has been reported again from any of those locations,” he said.

He added that authorities had immediately launched fogging, sandfly-control spraying and sanitisation drives in newly affected areas.

The government has also ensured adequate stocks of medicines and essential medical supplies at health facilities across the state, including primary health centres.

The minister said the Health Department was continuously monitoring the situation under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and had directed officials to further intensify medicine distribution, fogging, and surveillance activities.

He also appealed to parents to seek immediate medical attention if children develop symptoms such as fever, vomiting or unconsciousness.

“If any child develops symptoms such as fever, vomiting or unconsciousness, parents should immediately contact the nearest government health centre,” he said.

The review meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajiv Topno, Urban Health Commissioner Dr Sandhya Bhullar, Rural Health Commissioner Dr Ratankanwar Gadhvi Charan, Director of Public Health Dr Nilam Patel and other senior Health Department officials.

–IANS

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