‘Human metapneumovirus’ (HMPV) infection was confirmed in five infants in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat on Monday, the first recorded cases of infection with the virus in India. Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry tried to allay apprehensions, saying it was fully prepared to deal with any possible surge in respiratory diseases. HMPV is a virus causing respiratory disease globally. Recently, news of its outbreak in China caught the attention of the world. It is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in people of all age groups.
The governments of Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra have assured that there is no need to panic. At the same time, the Delhi government directed all the hospitals of the capital to be fully prepared to deal with the possible increase in respiratory diseases.
Of the three cases of HMPV reported so far in the country, two were detected through routine surveillance of multiple respiratory viral pathogens in Karnataka by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Three month old girl suffering from bronchopneumonia
The Health Ministry said that the three-month-old girl was suffering from bronchopneumonia and was admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru, where she was confirmed to be infected with HMPV. According to the ministry, the girl has already been discharged.
The ministry said that an eight-month-old infant suffering from bronchopneumonia was admitted to Baptist Hospital on January 3, after which he was confirmed to be infected with HMPV. According to the information, he has now recovered from the infection.
The ministry underlined that it is a big thing that both the patients had not done any international travel.
A two-month-old baby admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad has also been confirmed infected with HMPV. This child, a resident of Dungarpur, Rajasthan, was admitted to the hospital on 24 December 2024 with symptoms of respiratory infection.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Medical Officer Bhavin Solanki said that initially the child was kept on ventilator, but now his condition is stable.
Virus confirmed in two children in Tamil Nadu
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been confirmed in two children in Chennai and they are being treated, a Tamil Nadu health official said. He said that detailed information is awaited.
State health department officials held a meeting to discuss the steps to be taken to check HMPV and precautions to be taken to prevent its spread.
The Union Health Ministry said that HMPV is already present in many countries of the world including India and cases of respiratory diseases related to it have been reported in various countries.
Additionally, based on current data from ICMR and Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network, it can be said that there is no unusual increase in cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) in the country, the ministry said. Has not happened.
The ministry said it is monitoring the situation through all available monitoring means. ICMR said it will continue to monitor HMPV infection trends throughout the year.
The Union Health Ministry said that the recent preparedness exercise conducted across the country has shown that India is fully prepared to deal with any possible surge in respiratory diseases and public health interventions can be taken immediately if needed. .
Delhi on high alert
Meanwhile, the Delhi government on Monday directed all hospitals in the national capital to be fully prepared to deal with a possible surge in respiratory diseases.
Issuing “urgent” instructions, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to closely monitor the situation and remain in constant touch with the Union Health Ministry for timely updates.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed concern over the emergence of HMPV cases and urged the Center to take swift action to prevent a possible health crisis.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said there is no need to panic as the infections detected are the old virus variants present in the country and they are not life threatening.
Chairing a meeting of health department officials, Karnataka’s Health Minister said both the infected infants were “normal”. He advised people to adopt general precautionary measures.
“I don’t think we should panic because HMPV is not a new virus,” Gundu Rao said. The virus is already present in the country. Reports suggest that this is the first case of HMPV in India, which is not true because HMPV virus is already present in the country and some percentage of people get infected with this virus and this is not a new thing.
The Karnataka government also said that HMPV mainly affects children, causing a common cold-like infection, and is “not as contagious as COVID-19.”
Rao underlined that there is no need to follow Covid-like protocols as of now as no “unnatural developments” have taken place.
What are the preparations in Gujarat?
Gujarat Health Minister Hrishikesh Patel has appealed to the people not to panic. He said that the state government has made preparations to deal with the situation of possible infection.
Patel said the state health and family welfare department is alert and preparations and arrangements have been made to deal with possible infection.
He said, “As a precautionary measure, the Health Department held a meeting on January 4 and directed every Chief District Health Officer, Civil Surgeon, Superintendents of Sub-District Hospitals in the state to pay full attention to the matters related to the infection of this virus.” Gave.”
The minister said that arrangements will be made for HMPV testing in various government hospitals. He asked people not to panic, but understand the symptoms of virus infection and take action accordingly.
Maharashtra also alerted
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that citizens should not panic after HMPV cases were reported in other states. He said his government would soon issue a comprehensive advisory on the situation.
Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BSC) said that no case of HMPV has been reported in the metropolis.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also confirmed on Monday that no case of HMPV has been reported in the state so far.
HMPV was first discovered in 2001 and belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family. It is closely related to respiratory syncytial virus. It is spread by respiratory droplets exhaled by coughing or sneezing, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces or coming into direct contact with infected individuals.
‘HMPV is not a new virus’ Union Health Minister JP Nadda appealed to the public to remain calm