Mumbai:
After three instances of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) had been reported in India, Maharashtra Well being Minister Prakash Abitkar on Monday urged the folks of the state to observe the rules issued by the Maharashtra Well being Division and central authorities and stated that there’s “no must panic.”
“As a result of affected person recognized in Bengaluru, many individuals in Maharashtra are additionally frightened however from the well being division, we’re interesting to all of the folks of Maharashtra, do not relate your self with the affected person in Bengaluru. Please preserve your self secure by following the rules issued by the Maharashtra Well being Division and the central authorities’s well being division…there isn’t a want for folks to panic,” Mr Abitkar advised reporters.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Company on Monday stated that no Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) case has been reported in Mumbai and urged the residents to take precautions.
“Numerous information has been printed within the media concerning the continued outbreak of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus in China. The Directorate of Well being Companies, Pune issued a suggestion on this regard on January 3, 2025. Details about what to do and what to not do has been given via the rules. The knowledge is being given via the Public Well being Division of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Company that no such affected person contaminated with Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been present in Mumbai metropolis and suburbs. Nevertheless, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Company administration can also be interesting to residents to observe the rules,” the BMC acknowledged.
“It’s a seasonal illness that often happens in winter and early summer season, like RSV and flu. The virus was first detected within the Netherlands within the 12 months 2001. There isn’t a trigger for concern concerning the report of Human Metapneumovirus virus detected in China. Needed precautions are being taken on this regard and there’s no must create an environment of pointless panic,” the BMC acknowledged.
Nevertheless, as a part of the alert, the well being division has appealed to residents to cowl their mouth and nostril with a handkerchief or tissue paper once they cough or sneeze.
“Wash your fingers regularly with cleaning soap and water or alcohol-based sanitiser. Steer clear of public locations when you have fever, cough and sneeze. Drink loads of water and eat nutritious meals. Guarantee that there’s enough air flow everywhere to cut back transmission,” it added
The well being division urged the folks to not shake fingers and never reuse tissue paper and handkerchiefs.
“Shut contact with sick folks. Touching your eyes, nostril and mouth regularly. Spitting in public locations. Taking medication (self-medication) with out consulting a physician,” it acknowledged.
Earlier as we speak, Union Well being Minister JP Nadda assured the people who there isn’t a want to fret because the well being programs and surveillance networks of the nation are vigilant and able to reply promptly to any rising well being challenges.
“Well being specialists have clarified that HMPV will not be a brand new virus. It was first recognized in 2001 and it has been circulating in your entire world for a few years. HMPV spreads via the air, by the use of respiration. This will have an effect on individuals of all age teams. The virus spreads extra in the course of the winter and the early spring months,” he stated.
The Ministry of Well being, in a launch, has acknowledged that these instances had been detected as a part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to observe and management respiratory sicknesses throughout the nation. HMPV is a respiratory virus that’s already circulating globally, together with in India. It has been related to respiratory sicknesses in numerous nations, though there was no uncommon surge in instances in India.
The ICMR emphasised that regardless of the detection of those two instances, there was no vital improve in Influenza-Like Sickness (ILI) or Extreme Acute Respiratory Sickness (SARI) instances within the nation.
One of many affected people is a 3-month-old feminine toddler, who was identified with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She had a historical past of bronchopneumonia and was discharged after receiving remedy.
The second case entails an 8-month-old male toddler who examined constructive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, following his admission to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru, additionally with a historical past of bronchopneumonia.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a standard respiratory virus that causes an higher respiratory an infection.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
