RAS question
India's Chandipura virus, which causes encephalitis outbreaks, is transmitted through:
Correct answer: (D) Sandfly bites.
Chandipura virus, which causes acute encephalitis outbreaks in India, is transmitted primarily through sandfly bites.
Explanation
Chandipura virus is a vector-borne virus associated with acute encephalitis syndrome outbreaks in India, especially among children. Sandfly bites, specifically Phlebotomus bites, are the primary route of transmission. The World Health Organization Disease Outbreak News states that Chandipura virus is transmitted by vectors such as sandflies, mosquitoes and ticks. Phlebotomus papatasi, a sandfly, has also been reported as a vector of Chandipura virus disease in Gujarat. This is why the best MCQ answer is sandfly bites: the disease is not spread through water or respiratory droplets, and reducing exposure to vector bites is central to prevention.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Contaminated water is wrong because Chandipura virus is vector-borne, not waterborne.
- (B) Airborne droplets are wrong because the World Health Organization Disease Outbreak News discusses transmission through vectors, and no human-to-human transmission had been reported in that outbreak.
- (C) Mosquito bites only is wrong because the World Health Organization Disease Outbreak News lists sandflies, mosquitoes and ticks as possible vectors, while sandflies are the primary route.
Concept
This tests the Science and Technology syllabus area of communicable diseases, especially vector-borne infections and encephalitis outbreaks. It recurs in RAS because Rajasthan-linked public health alerts often test the vector, disease presentation and prevention logic rather than only the disease name.