Why are children most vulnerable to Chandipura virus? Doctor explain the hidden risk

As Chandipura virus cases raise concern, doctors say children are not just more likely to get infected, they are also more likely to suffer severe brain damage. Here's why young children are the virus's biggest victims and what parents should never ignore.Why Chandipura virus is most dangerous for young childrenThe Chandipura virus has once again come into focus after several children lost their lives following infections in parts of India. While the virus itself is rare, one fact has remained consistent over the years: almost all severe cases and deaths occur in children, particularly those below the age of five.This has left many parents wondering why the virus seems to target children more than adults. Is it because children get infected more easily? Is their immune system weaker? Or is there something unique about the way the virus attacks a child's body?Doctors say the answer lies in a combination of biology, behaviour, and delayed recognition of symptoms. A young child's brain is still developing, their protective blood-brain barrier is not fully mature, and they spend more time playing close to the ground where infected sandflies are commonly found. Adding to the challenge is that toddlers often cannot explain what they are feeling, making it harder for parents to identify the illness in its early stages.Experts also warn that the impact of Chandipura virus does not always end after survival. Many children who recover from the acute infection may later struggle with developmental delays, speech problems, movement disorders, or seizures, highlighting the need for long-term rehabilitation.WHY CHILDREN ARE MORE VULNERABLE According to Dr Purva Pande, Paediatric Physiotherapist and Founder of Milestones Child Development Centre, the Chandipura virus does not selectively attack children. Instead, a child's developing nervous system is far less capable of handling the damage caused by the infection.She explains that in children under five years of age, the blood-brain barrier is still developing. This protective layer normally prevents harmful substances from reaching the brain. Since it is not fully mature in young children, the virus and the inflammation it causes can damage the brain much more easily. At the same time, the brain itself is growing rapidly during the first few years of life. Any severe inflammation during this crucial period can interrupt normal brain development, affecting movement, speech, learning, and behaviour.WHY CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED MORE OFTENDoctors say the way children play also increases their risk of coming into contact with infected sandflies.Sandflies are weak fliers and usually remain close to the ground. Young children spend a large part of the day sitting, crawling, playing, or sleeping on the floor or outdoors with their arms and legs uncovered. This naturally increases the chances of sandfly bites compared with adults.Children living in rural or forested regions where sandflies are commonly present may therefore have a greater risk of exposure.WHY EARLY SYMPTOMS ARE OFTEN MISSEDOne of the biggest reasons the disease becomes severe is that young children cannot always describe how they feel.Unlike adults, toddlers cannot explain that they have a severe headache, dizziness, or confusion. Parents often have to depend entirely on changes in the child's behaviour.Dr Pande says families should not wait for children to describe symptoms. Instead, they should watch for sudden changes that appear out of the ordinary.These warning signs include:Sudden excessive sleepiness after the child was activeRefusing to feedLoss of head controlWeak or floppy limbsSeizuresPersistent vomitingReduced responsivenessThese are neurological warning signs that require immediate medical attention. Waiting overnight to see if the child improves could waste valuable time because the Chandipura virus can progress very rapidly.THE VIRUS CAN DAMAGE THE BRAIN QUICKLYDoctors explain that Chandipura virus mainly attacks the brain and nervous system. The infection can lead to acute encephalitis, a condition in which the brain becomes inflamed.Once the brain is affected, children may develop seizures, unconsciousness, breathing difficulties, paralysis, or coma within a very short period.This rapid progression is one of the reasons why early diagnosis and immediate hospital treatment are critical.SURVIVING THE VIRUS DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN FULL RECOVERYDoctors say public attention often focusses only on the number of deaths caused by Chandipura virus. However, many survivors continue to face long-term neurological problems.According to Dr Pande, some children leave the intensive care unit with abnormal muscle tone, seizures, delayed speech, poor balance, weakness, or difficulty achieving developmental milestones.Months later, many of these children are brought to rehabilitation centres because they are not walking, talking, or learning at the expected pace. Families may not realise that these developmental problems are linked to the Chandipura infection they survived during the previous monsoon.REHABILITATION SHOULD START EARLYExperts stress that recovery should not begin only after a child returns home.Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and developmental assessment should begin as early as possible, often while the child is still admitted to the hospital.Early rehabilitation helps improve movement, communication, feeding, and overall development. Starting therapy quickly can also reduce long-term disability and improve the child's quality of life.HOW PARENTS CAN PROTECT CHILDRENAlthough there is no specific antiviral treatment for Chandipura virus, reducing exposure to sandflies remains the best form of prevention.Doctors advise parents to:Make children sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets where recommendedDress children in full-sleeved clothes and long trousers, especially during evening hoursApply child-safe insect repellents as advised by healthcare professionalsKeep homes and surroundings clean to reduce insect breedingSeek immediate medical care if a child develops sudden fever along with drowsiness, seizures, weakness, or unusual behaviourChildren are the most vulnerable to Chandipura virus because their brains and nervous systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to severe damage. Their daily activities also increase exposure to sandflies, while their inability to communicate early symptoms often delays treatment.Doctors say parents should never dismiss sudden drowsiness, weakness, feeding refusal, or seizures as routine illness. Acting within hours can make a critical difference, and for children who survive, early rehabilitation is just as important as emergency treatment.- EndsPublished By: Smarica PantPublished On: Aug 4, 2026 11:07 IST