New Delhi:
wreaking havoc in china Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus Now it has reached India. After Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, this virus has now been confirmed in Maharashtra also. Two children have been found infected with HMPV virus in Nagpur, taking the total number of cases in the country so far to 7 on Tuesday. Maharashtra government has also issued an advisory in this regard. Amidst the increasing cases of HMPV, the Center has asked the states to review the surveillance on respiratory diseases in the country.
The Central Government has already told the World Health Organization that we should keep giving updates related to Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus from time to time.
HMPV virus mainly affects the breathing process of the victim. Its symptoms are similar to those of Covid-19 in many cases. However, this virus mainly infects infants and young children. The most common symptom in a virus infected patient is cough. Along with this, problems like mild fever, wheezing, runny nose or sore throat may also occur. After getting infected with the virus, serious symptoms may occur in some cases. There may also be difficulty in breathing.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has said that India’s surveillance network remains alert and the country is ready to respond immediately to any emerging health challenge. He said there is nothing to worry about. We are monitoring the situation closely.
After the increase in cases of HMPV virus in the country, the Union Health Ministry held a meeting with the States/Union Territories in virtual mode. Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said states should strengthen and review influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance. He said that the country is prepared for any possible situation in cases of respiratory disease.
The meeting was held following the current situation of respiratory diseases in India and reports of a surge in HMPV cases in China. Along with this, public health measures were also reviewed in this meeting. Secretary (DHR) Dr. Rajiv Bahl, DGHS Dr. (Prof.) Atul Goyal, health secretaries and officials of the states, experts from the state surveillance units of NCDC, IDSP, ICMR, NIV and IDSP participated.
States have been advised to increase awareness among people about prevention of virus infection.
- washing hands frequently with soap
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoiding close contact with people who are showing symptoms of the disease
- covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- If you are having fever, cough and sneezing then stay away from public places.
- Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food
- Adequate ventilation with outside air is necessary at all places to reduce infection.
- If you are sick, stay home and limit contact with others.
- If you are sick, do not shake hands with people and use tissue paper and handkerchief.
HMPV virus is not fatal – former ICMR scientist
HMPV is one of several respiratory viruses that can cause infection in people of all ages. Virus infection is usually mild and self-limited and most cases resolve on their own.
Former ICMR scientist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar said that HMPV is definitely not fatal and there is no evidence of mortality or serious infection rates to date. Most infections are mild and occur only in children under five years of age and people over 65 years of age. It can cause common cold-like symptoms for 4 to 5 days. The virus can cause diseases such as pneumonitis, but the mortality rate is still almost unknown. The global prevalence of HMPV is approximately 4 percent.
HMPV confirmed in two children in Nagpur
On Tuesday, HMPV was confirmed in two children in Nagpur, Maharashtra. These two cases are of seven-year-old and 13-year-old children. The children were initially suspected to be infected with H1N1 (swine flu), but polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests later confirmed HMPV.
Taking serious cognizance of the matter, the state government has constituted a task force under the chairmanship of Dr. Pallavi Sapley, Dean of JJ Hospital, which will prepare Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The State Health Department has issued an advisory and asked the district administration to increase monitoring of cold and cough patients and keep a close watch on them.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Ambedkar has called an emergency meeting of the department regarding HMPV virus. The minister has appealed to the people not to panic. Medical Education Commissioner Rajiv Nivatkar also held a virtual meeting with the deans of government medical colleges to review their preparedness to deal with HMPV patients and informed them about the steps to be taken.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has come into alert mode and special wards have been set up to treat HMPV patients. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “There is no need to fear the HMPV virus. According to preliminary information, this virus is not new, this virus was prevalent earlier also. It seems that this virus is making a comeback once again. “Rules in this regard will be announced.”
No need to panic about HMPV: Tamil Nadu Health Minister
The Tamil Nadu government has said that Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is not a new and dangerous infection. In such a situation, there is no need to worry about this. The government also said that the two people found infected in the state are fine. Health and Family Welfare Minister Hon. Subramanian said that one of them is a 69-year-old resident of Salem who is suffering from cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes, while the other, a 45-year-old resident of Chennai. Both are fine. There is no need to panic about HMPV and the Center has also emphasized on this.
The Health Minister said that the infection has not made any major impact in India and especially in the state. People suffering from cold, cough and fever can get tested for HMPV, but there is no specific treatment for it. People, especially those with symptoms, are being encouraged to adopt measures like wearing masks, maintaining social distance and keeping hands clean.
Andhra Pradesh issued alert regarding HMPV
The Andhra Pradesh government has issued an alert in view of the emergence of cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in some parts of the country. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has given clear instructions to the officials of the Medical and Health Department to remain alert and take all necessary preventive measures. He has asked officials to keep an eye on those entering the state from other parts of the country and conduct tests wherever necessary.
Keeping a close eye on the situation – Telangana Health Department
Telangana health department officials have said that they are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Union Health Ministry. There is no need to worry regarding HMPV. Public Health Director B. Ravindra Nayak has said that no case of HMPV has been reported in the state yet. The health department also found no significant increase in respiratory cases in December 2024 compared to the same month in 2023.
Arrangements on the lines of Corona to defeat HMPV virus in Bihar
Arrangements will be made on the lines of Corona to defeat the HMPV virus spread in China in Bihar. The health department has started preparations for this. Following the guidelines of the Central Government, the Health Department has instructed the District Magistrates of all the districts, Principals and Superintendents of Medical College Hospitals, Civil Surgeons to make arrangements on the lines of Corona to prevent this virus. According to the Health Department, this is a virus related to the respiratory system. No special anti-viral or vaccine is yet available to prevent this infection.
The department has directed that all health institutions should ensure surveillance of influenza-like illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Pneumonia (SAR) and report it daily on the IHIP portal. Availability of medicines, kits, ventilators, oxygen, masks etc. related to Covid-19 should be ensured. It has been asked to keep an eye on its trend and in case of its increase, to closely monitor infection control activities in all hospitals. Instructions have also been given to send samples of seriously admitted cases to the hospital for testing so that HMPV can be confirmed in the lab.
Jharkhand government alert regarding HMPV
Jharkhand’s health department has also become alert regarding HMPV. Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari said that the state government is keeping an eye on all the information related to HMPV. He said that health department officials have been asked to be prepared by assessing possible situations.
State Health Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh has asked civil surgeons, medical colleges and department officials of all the districts of the state to remain alert. The department has also issued an advisory regarding this as per the norms of Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR). As a precautionary measure, all hospitals have been asked to increase beds and maintain the oxygen supply system. In the advisory, it has been advised to use mask in crowded areas, clean hands from time to time with sanitizer, and avoid going to crowded areas.
General precautions necessary regarding HMPV – Odisha Health Department
Director of Public Health Department of Odisha, Neelkanth Mishra said regarding the virus that we have not issued any advisory yet. General precautions like avoiding going to crowded places and washing hands are necessary. The severity in this case is moderate and in some cases it may turn into pneumonia. There are symptoms like cold, fever and sneezing. We are monitoring public places. No specific advisory has been issued yet nor has wearing a mask been made mandatory.
Human metapneumovirus is a common infection, no need to fear: Expert
Regarding HMPV, Dr. PVM Lakshmi of Chandigarh PGI said that there is a lot of fear among the people regarding human metapneumovirus. But I would say that there is no need to be afraid of this virus, because it is a common infection virus. Some cases related to this virus have been found in China and due to this there is an atmosphere of fear among the people. But, many cases were found in PGI last year also. This virus can cause serious infection especially in small children, elderly people or people with low immunity. Most of the people suffer from cough and cold like symptoms, which gets cured soon. An advisory has been issued by the Central Government regarding this.
Dr. Lakshmi said, “The government has said that if cases related to this virus come, then their samples should be taken and sent to the lab for testing. It has to be seen whether the cases are increasing like last year? It will also be seen whether there is any mutation in the virus due to which the virus is trying to be isolated and sequenced. Samples of all the patients admitted with these symptoms will be taken and sent to the lab.
Experts say that this virus is not new and it is a virus that has already spread. It was identified in 2001. The HMPV virus remains stable and is not a cause for concern. HMPV infections are usually self-limiting, meaning they resolve on their own. This requires adequate rest and hydration. Supportive treatment is given in its treatment.
