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HMPV Case LIVE: Several state governments have heightened their surveillance amid rising cases of respiratory illnesses, especially those due to Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). Reports of HMPV outbreak in China have also raised concern for another health emergency. In India, at least eight HMPV cases have been detected.
Health Minister JP Naddaearlier said that HMPV is not a new virus and asked people not to worry about it. He also urged the public to take precautions to avoid getting infected with viral infections, which are on the rise during the winter season.
HMPV cases in India tally
At least eight cases of HMPV infection have been reported across India since January 7. Initially, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu reported HMPV cases. Gujarat reported another case of HMPV on the same day. Two more cases were reported in Maharashtra from Nagpur. On Wednesday, another HMPV case was confirmed in Mumbai, taking the total tally of confirmed HMPV cases in Maharashtra to three.
It is worth noting that HMPV cases are not new in India, and there were HMPV cases in December as well. Earlier, the former World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan, told NDTV that keeping a tally of ‘HMPV cases in India’ is meaningless.
Who is most vulnerable?Vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems may have more severe symptoms.
What you need to know about HMPV?
- HMPV stands for “human metapneumovirus” and generally causes a mild upper respiratory tract infection.
- It spreads via person-to-person contact or when someone touches a contaminated surface.
- Common symptoms include coughing, fever and a blocked nose — very similar to many types of cold and flu.
Rise in respiratory infections ‘common’ during winter, says WHOWorld Health Organisation (WHO) official, Margaret Harris said that the rise observed in the number of common respiratory infections, is ‘common’ during winter and spring.
She further added that according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the pathogens causing the disease are “known ones.”
“There has indeed been a rise in the number of common respiratory infections in the country. And this is entirely expected during the winter. China has a sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness and severe respiratory infections,” she said.
He reiterated that this variant of HMPV is not that strong and the nation has already dealt with problematic viruses like corona.
Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said, “We have mentioned this earlier too that this variant is not strong. We have dealt with problematic viruses like corona. Our health department is working efficiently in this matter. No one has to worry…”
At the same time it has asked people to take proactive measures to respond to any potential outbreak. “There is no need to panic. The entire machinery is fully geared up to deal with any situation,” a health department officer said.
“There has indeed been a rise in a number of common respiratory infections in the country. And this is entirely expected during the winter. China has a sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness and severe respiratory infections,”
