The cases of HMPV are increasing not only in India but all over the world. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong etc. are working to tackle the infection caused by HMPV in people of all age groups. Screening of international and domestic passengers for human metapneumovirus (HMPV) at the airport has not yet started as officials are awaiting approval from the central government to start the process.
Jharkhand Health Minister Dr. Ansari said, “People between the age group of 5 to 70 years are susceptible to this virus and its symptoms are very similar to Covid-19.”
He directed health officials to deploy medical teams at railway stations, airports and other important places to monitor and investigate possible cases reported by agencies.
HMPV: Preparation in Haryana also
Haryana Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao on Tuesday said an advisory has been issued to civil surgeons in the state to remain alert in their respective areas regarding respiratory diseases including human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
In a statement he said that no case of HMPV infection has been reported in the state.
Amid cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) being detected in some parts of the country, Maharashtra’s Pune district administration on Tuesday said necessary arrangements are being made to deal with the infection, but there is no need to worry.
When asked about the health facilities in the government hospitals of the district, the Collector said that after the Covid-19 pandemic, health facilities already exist in the district, be it primary to big hospitals.
An official statement issued on Tuesday said the Mizoram government has formed a committee to monitor the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and assess the situation.
It said the committee was formed after a meeting chaired by Health Minister Lalrinpui on Monday.
In the meeting, Rapid Response Team has also been formed at the state and district level to deal with the infection. Important health officials participated in the meeting and the situation in the country as well as the state was reviewed.
A senior official said that the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) of the state health department is keeping a close watch on the spread of this respiratory virus after the outbreak of this respiratory virus in China and detection of some of its cases in India.
After five cases were found in India, the Center has advised states to increase surveillance for respiratory diseases including ILI and SARI and raise awareness about the spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Monday chaired a virtual meeting with states and union territories to take stock of the respiratory diseases and HMPV cases in the country and public health measures for their management.
A statement from the Health Ministry said that the meeting was attended by Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research, Dr. Atul Goyal, Director General of Health Services, National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), Indian Medical Research Experts from state surveillance units of the Council (ICMR), National Institute of Virology (NIV) and IDSP participated.
The meeting was held amid reports of a surge in HMPV cases in China and five cases of HMPV were confirmed in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat that day.
HMPV Virus: First case of HMPV virus found in Mumbai, 6 month old innocent girl infected.