In India’s western state of Gujarat, viral encephalitis has resulted in at least 56 deaths, prompting authorities to increase monitoring for the disease.
The infection, which often causes high fever and can affect the brain, is typically spread by sand flies and ticks.
During the monsoon season, viral encephalitis is common in various parts of India, but many of the recent deaths in Gujarat were linked to the Chandipura virus—a relatively new strain that primarily impacts children under 15.
According to Gujarat health officials, a quarter of the 56 reported deaths in the past month were confirmed to be caused by the Chandipura virus.
The state government reported a total of 133 cases of viral encephalitis, with 47 cases attributed to the Chandipura virus, in the state of 70 million people over the same period.
