The antiviral drug Favipiravir has demonstrated substantial protection against the Chandipura virus in preclinical studies conducted by the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV), offering hope for treating a deadly infection that primarily affects children in central India.
Studies conducted on mice showed that Favipiravir can reduce viral load and improve survival rates in infected animals, according to Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of NIV under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The findings represent a significant breakthrough for an infection that currently has no specific treatment options.
Major Outbreak Highlights Urgent Need
The research gains particular urgency following a major 2024 outbreak in Gujarat and adjoining areas of Maharashtra, which the World Health Organization described as the largest Chandipura virus outbreak in the past 20 years. The outbreak resulted in 64 laboratory-confirmed cases, with 61 cases reported from Gujarat alone, according to Dr. Vijay Bondre, senior scientist at NIV.
The Chandipura virus (CHPV) is endemic in central India and causes symptoms including high fever, seizures, and encephalitis. The disease affects mostly children under 15 years of age and can present with febrile illness that may progress to convulsions, coma, and in some cases death.
Historical Context and Disease Burden
First identified in 1965 in Maharashtra from clinical samples of febrile cases, the Chandipura virus has caused several significant outbreaks. The first major outbreak occurred in 2003 in Telangana, then part of Andhra Pradesh, infecting over 300 children with more than 50% fatality rates. Additional cases were reported from the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat between 2003 and 2007, with sporadic cases continuing to emerge from endemic regions.
Drug Development Progress
"The NIV has been working toward identifying potential anti-virals against CHPV. In the search after testing multiple anti-virals, Favipiravir has been identified to give substantial protection against the Chandipura virus infection which has also been established in the preclinical trials in the laboratory," explained Dr. Kumar.
The findings suggest that Favipiravir could serve as a potential therapeutic option for these infections, though clinical trials on humans are yet to be carried out to confirm its efficacy and safety in humans.
Next Steps in Development
Before proceeding to human testing, the efficacy of the drug against CHPV will be re-established at another organization - the ICMR-National Animal Research Facility for Biological research. This additional validation process is expected to take seven to eight months, according to Dr. Bondre.
Currently, the infection is managed through symptomatic treatment with no particular drug used for specific treatment. The CHPV is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family and is transmitted by arthropod vectors, most probably sand flies. Vector control, hygiene, and awareness remain the only available preventive measures against the disease.
Vaccine Development Underway
In addition to the antiviral research, NIV has initiated research to develop a vaccine candidate against CHPV. "The research will be of great help to the nation to minimize the high fatality due to this infection among children," Dr. Kumar said.
The dual approach of developing both therapeutic and preventive interventions represents a comprehensive strategy to address a virus that poses a significant threat to pediatric populations in endemic regions of India.
