AHMEDABAD, India, July 30 (Reuters) - Viral encephalitis has caused at least 56 deaths in India's western state of Gujarat, forcing authorities to step up surveillance for the disease caused by a viral infection often spread by sand flies and ticks.
Viral encephalitis, which can cause high fever and in many cases affect the brain, is common in several parts of India during the monsoon season, but many of the deaths in Gujarat were caused by the Chandipura virus, a relatively new form that is known to affect mostly children under 15.
Of the 56 dead over the last month, a quarter were confirmed to have died from the Chandipura virus, Gujarat Health Commissioner Harshad Patel said.
"Almost all the patients are children. As far as I know, this virus affects only children," Patel told Reuters about the outbreak.
