Ignoring Virus Threats Could Lead to Disaster

Ignoring Viral Threats: Why India Needs Urgent Preparedness

As the world moves forward from the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic, many are eager to forget the hardships and mental fatigue it caused. However, public health experts warn that dropping our guard could lead to disaster, as viruses, including Covid-19, continue to claim lives. Each week, 1,700 people still die from Covid-19 globally, and new strains continue to emerge, sometimes more aggressive than the previous ones. This persistent threat emphasizes the need for ongoing vigilance and preparation.

Chandipura and Mpox: Emerging Viral Threats

While Covid-19 continues to linger, newer and deadly viruses are surfacing. The Chandipura virus (CHPV) has been causing acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), primarily affecting children under 15 years of age. Gujarat has reported the highest number of cases, with additional reports from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that between June and mid-August, India recorded 245 cases of AES, 82 of which were fatal. Of these, 64 were confirmed to be caused by the Chandipura virus.

Chandipura virus is endemic to India, especially during the monsoon season, and is transmitted via sandflies, mosquitoes, and ticks. It has a high fatality rate, ranging from 56% to 75%. With no specific treatment or vaccine, the virus continues to pose a significant risk to public health.

At the same time, the Mpox virus has re-emerged globally, although India has so far been spared from major outbreaks. The new clade of Mpox is more contagious, highlighting the importance of continued international cooperation for vaccine distribution, especially in countries like Congo, which is struggling with the crisis.

The Need for Better Virus Surveillance

Renowned genomic scientist Vinod Scaria has called for India to improve its virus surveillance systems. Scaria points out that India still lacks a comprehensive epidemic preparedness plan, leaving the country vulnerable to sudden viral outbreaks.

One recent initiative to address this issue is the "Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas" or "Virus War Exercise" conducted under the National One Health Mission. This mock drill was designed to evaluate India's preparedness for zoonotic disease outbreaks, involving multiple stakeholders from healthcare, veterinary science, and other sectors.

The Path Forward: Strengthening Preparedness

To effectively tackle these ongoing viral threats, experts recommend several strategies:

Enhanced Virus Surveillance: Strengthening genome sequencing programs and virus surveillance systems will allow early detection of new viral strains.
Better Pandemic Preparedness: Continued investment in pandemic preparedness programs, like the Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas, is essential.
International Cooperation: As Mpox and other viruses spread, collaboration between nations will be critical in ensuring vaccine availability and support for affected countries.
Public Health Campaigns: Informing the public about viral threats and encouraging preventive measures can reduce the risk of outbreaks.

Conclusion

As viruses continue to evolve and emerge, pandemic preparedness is not optional but essential. India must remain vigilant and proactive, ensuring that the hard lessons learned from Covid-19 are applied to prevent future viral disasters.