Chandipura virus (CHPV) is an enveloped RNA virus of the Rhabdoviridae family. It is a rare cause of infectious encephalitis in children, although outbreaks in India in 2003 resulted in the deaths of 322 children. Historically, this disease affects children aged 2.5 months to 15 years. Symptoms are typically influenza-like, but neurologic impairment and a lethal autoimmune encephalitis may develop rapidly (within the first 24 hours from symptom onset). The case fatality rate in outbreaks have ranged from 56%-75%.

CHPV was first described in India in 1965 and is primarily endemic in Central India, although it has been isolated in animals and insect vectors in West Africa as well. It is thought to be vector-borne with transmission presumed to be through the sandflies Phlebotomus papatasi. The virus has been isolated from sandflies and can be transmitted both vertically and venereally in these insects, although transmission to humans has not been proven. Mosquitoes have not been found to be involved in the transmission of CPHV, but they have demonstrated to be capable vectors for the virus under laboratory conditions.

No specific treatments are available, and management is generally supportive and may include management of seizures and cerebral edema in those with encephalitis.