Malnourished ‘Gujarat’: 570,000 Children Deprived of Nutrition, a Factor in Chandipura Virus Spread

The survival chances for those affected by the Chandipura virus are very low because the virus weakens the immune system. In Gujarat, there has been an increase in cases of Chandipura virus among children in recent years. 

This rise is attributed to malnutrition or lack of proper nutrition in children. The problem of malnutrition in Gujarat significantly contributes to the spread of diseases like the Chandipura virus.

Gujarat Ranks Fourth in Malnutrition

According to a report from the central government, Gujarat ranks fourth in the country for malnutrition. This exacerbates the threat of the Chandipura virus in the state. The disease could potentially become more dangerous in the future. 

Unfortunately, while the Gujarat government talks about addressing the malnutrition problem, concrete actions are lacking. Despite spending crores of rupees each year to combat malnutrition, the number of those affected continues to rise. 

Although the state government allocated ₹5,500 crore in the 2023-24 budget to address this issue, the problem remains unresolved.

Over 570,000 Children Affected by Malnutrition in Gujarat

In Gujarat, the rate of malnutrition among pregnant women is also alarmingly high, contributing to an increased mortality rate among newborns. In December 2023, the central government reported in the Lok Sabha that Gujarat ranks second in the country for the number of newborns admitted to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers. 

Each year, over 30,000 children in Gujarat succumb to malnutrition. In February 2024, during the winter session of the state legislature, the Gujarat government admitted that more than 570,000 children in the state are affected by malnutrition.

Many Cases of Chandipura Virus Still Under Treatment in Gujarat

The state government has also admitted that the necessary measures to combat the malnutrition problem are not being effectively implemented in Gujarat. Currently, the dangerous Chandipura virus has claimed the lives of 16 children in Gujarat, and many more cases are still under treatment, which could lead to an increase in cases. 

In the past, the Chandipura virus has also been deadly in Gujarat, with 17 fatalities reported previously. In 2010, Gujarat recorded 29 cases of Chandipura virus, out of which 17 were fatal. Among 18 cases reported in Kheda, 6 resulted in deaths, while all 9 cases in Panchmahal were fatal. Additionally, in Vadodara district, both individuals affected by the virus succumbed to the illness.