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PremiumHMPV Cases Highlights: Another HMPV case was reported in Mumbai on Wednesday. At least eight HMPV cases have been reported across India so far. Amid rising respiratory illness cases, the central government has advised states to step up surveillance.
Jharkhand Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari instructed the Health Department on Wednesday to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of HMPV across the state. He has also asked officials to deploy medical teams at railway stations and airports across the state for heightened monitoring.
In a release, Dr. Ansari said, "People between 5 and 70 years of age are susceptible to this virus, and its symptoms closely resemble those of COVID-19." He further instructed health officials to deploy medical teams at railway stations, airports, and other critical locations to monitor and investigate potential cases.
On Monday, two cases were reported from Bengaluru in Karnataka, while a third tested positive after being hospitalised in Gujarat. The development comes even as China and other countries battle a major outbreak of viral fever and pneumonia.
What is the Human Metapneumovirus?
HMPV is a common respiratory virus that causes lower and upper respiratory infections. It is not a new discovery and cases have been reported from various countries over the years. There is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV and prevention the cornerstone of controlling its spread.
HMPV virus symptoms and prevention
Common symptoms of HMPV infection include cough, cold, fever, etc. In some cases, infection may also lead to breathlessness, and nasal congestion.
HMPV virus prevention
To prevent HMPV infection, people must wash their hands regularly, maintain social distancing, wear masks. It is also advisable to isolate if you witness symptoms related to HMPV.
HMPV Cases LIVE: “We are currently seeing more #norovirus cases than in any season since we started our current reporting system," UK Health Security Agency in a post on X stated. In another post it stated, “We routinely monitor this (HMPV) virus & our data shows that it is currently following its usual seasonal pattern in the UK."
HMPV Cases LIVE: Director of AIIMS Rishikesh, Dr Meenu Singh suggested the following measures to patients infected with this virus:
HMPV Cases LIVE: Director of AIIMS Rishikesh, Dr Meenu Singh said HMPV is a respiratory virus which usually affects kids under the age of five, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Suggesting that HMPV occurs alongside RSV, the AIIMS Director said, "If a child has symptoms of acute respiratory infection like a cold, cough, or shortness of breath, then the child needs to be assessed immediately. Antibiotics don't help treat this virus," reported ANI.
HMPV Cases LIVE: The Central Government has issued no official guidelines yet.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari in a press release stated, "People between 5 and 70 years of age are susceptible to this virus, and its symptoms closely resemble those of COVID-19."
To monitor and investigate potential HMPV cases, he directed health officials to deploy medical teams at railway stations, airports, and other critical locations.
HMPV Cases LIVE: "There is no reason to worry, as there has been no sudden rise in respiratory cases in the union territory. However, the territorial administration, in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is closely monitoring the situation," Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services of Puducherry in its press release said.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh said, "We are fully prepared. I would like to assure the people that this is not the coronavirus, but just a common flu virus. There is no major risk involved. It will cause symptoms like fever, cough, cold, etc., but these will subside on their own. There's no need to panic. So far, there has been no case reported in Punjab," ANI reported.
He further informed that all guidelines are being followed and the state government is in touch with the Government of India over the issue. Urging children and the elderly to be cautious,he said, “Those who are unwell should make sure to wear a mask when going outside."
HMPV Cases LIVE: HMPV cases have been reported from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
HMPV Cases LIVE: According to doctors, HMPV is a common respiratory virus and is not a new pathogen, it was first identified in 2001 but has been in circulation since the 1970s, PTI reported. Symptoms caused by human metapneumovirus are similar to mild cold.
Medical superintendent of Gandhinagar government hospital, Dr Hamid Zargar said, "It is a mild upper respiratory disease. Six cases have been detected so far (in the country), but there is no need to panic," PTI reported.
HMPV Cases LIVE: To address concerns sparked by the detection of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases across the country, the Jammu and Kashmir health department announced the establishment of a specialised ICU ward in the state.
Medical superintendent of Gandhinagar government hospital, Dr Hamid Zargar said, "We have prepared a special ICU ward to handle any eventuality. God forbid if a pandemic occurs, we are ready," PTI reported.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Uttarakhand's Directorate General of Health issued guidelines for the prevention of respiratory diseases like HMPV virus.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Director of Uttarakhand Medical Health and Family Welfare Sunita Tamta called HPMC the same type of virus as flu virus. Urging the citizens to refrain from panicking, she said, "We should increase our precautions. If someone has flu-like symptoms, then you should maintain some distance and while sneezing or coughing, you should use a handkerchief or tissue paper."
HMPV Cases LIVE: Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil cleared that no uncommon spike has been registered anywhere across the country in the cases related to influenza disease and other serious breathing-related diseases, PTI reported. He added, “Even in Himachal Pradesh, no uncommon spike has been registered so far."
HMPV Cases LIVE: Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said HMPV's prevalence in India and other countries has been registered since 2001, PTI reported.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Haryana Health Ministre Arti Singh Rao on Tuesday said an advisory has been issued to civil surgeons. Rao also said that no HMPV infection has been reported in the state so far. At the same time, she asked officials to stay fully alert and prepared for any eventualities.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Young children and senior citizens are more vulnerable to the infection. HMPV infection symptoms can worsen among people with pre-existing diseases.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Several experts and ministers have stated that HMPV is not a concern. Health Minister JP Nadda earlier said that HMPV is not a new virus, hence not a cause of concern. He also said that people need to be cautious about the virus.
On Tuesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is not a cause of worry and appealed people to be cautious.
He told people there is no need to worry, but appealed to them to be cautious.
"We discussed HMPV (at health department meeting). It is not a very worrying virus. It is not the one that is prevalent in China. The virus that has been detected is an existing one. It infects children, aged people and those with less immunity," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The virus is not dangerous. I have spoken to several doctors and experts, but it is good to take precautions."
HMPV Cases LIVE: Amid rising concern around HMPV infections, hospitals in Gujarat have created isolation wards. Civil hospitals in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot have created isolation wards as a precautionary measure.
HMPV Cases LIVE: To prevent HMPV infection, people must wash their hands regularly, maintain social distancing, wear masks. It is also advisable to isolate if you witness symptoms related to HMPV.
HMPV Cases LIVE: One of the main risk groups is children. Infants and young children with HMPV may showcase symptoms like fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and cough.
The symptoms may also include breathlessness, rapid breathing and retractions in some cases.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Mizoram government as created a committee to closely observe the situation amid rising concern of HMPV cases, reported PTI citing officials. The committee was formed after a meeting chaired by Health Minister Lalrinpuii on Monday.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed officials to stay alert and ensure proper health arrangements across state.
Addressing a high-level meeting on Tuesday, the chief minister emphasized the need for special precautions to protect the vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children and pre-existing conditions, as cold-related ailments such as cough, fever and respiratory issues are expected to rise.
HMPV Cases LIVE: HMPV cases are on the rise not just in India, but in other countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, etc. HMPV is among one of the many respiratory viruses that can cause infections in people of all ages. These virus infections surge during the winter and early spring months
HMPV Cases LIVE: The DIstrict administration of Pune on Tuesday said that necessary arrangements have been made to tackle infections related to HMPV and another virus but said there was nothing to be concerned about. HMPV is one of the many respiratory viruses that can cause infections in people of all ages, particularly during the winter and early spring months.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Patna administration has assured people that there is no need to panic because of HMPV cases. The statement also asked people to follow the health advisory issued by the Centre amid rising HMPV concerns.
A statement issued by the Patna district administration said, “People should follow the health advisory issued by the authorities concerned to prevent HMPV disease. District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh also directed the district civil surgeon to ensure better functioning of hospitals for proper treatment of patients suffering from respiratory diseases, including seasonal influenza and HMPV."
HMPV Cases LIVE: Amid growing concern about Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), several state governments have ramped up their surveillance and prevention to address the challenge.
HMPV Cases LIVE: A six-month-old baby was admitted to a hospital's intensive care unit last week. The infant was tested positive of HMPV infection, reported Economic Times on Wednesday. With this, the total number of HMPV cases in Maharashtra have increased to three.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao on Tuesday asked officials to ensure sufficient stock of necessary medicines like Oseltamivir (75mg, 45mg, 30mg) and syrup, along with necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), N-95 masks, reagent kits, and viral transport media (VTM).
HMPV Cases LIVE: Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has issued an advirosy to civil surgeons in the state to remain vigilant in their respective areas.
In a statement, she said there is no report of any case of HMPV infection in the state. However, she emphasized that the health department is fully alert and prepared for any eventualities.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari has instructed all officers and doctors to stay alert amid rising cases of respiratory illnesses.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Gujarat health department has issued a circular ing all government officials to take necessary steps to handle HMPV cases. Additional testing kits will be procured and distributed to these hospitals in coming days to speed up detection of the HMP virus, a department release said.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Several isolation wards have been created in hospitals in Gujarat cities to deal with rising cases of respiratory illnesses related to viral infections like HMPV.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari on Tuesday said that the state has been unaffected by the human metapneumovirus infection, and there is no need to panic over the detection of such cases in other parts of the country.
“The infection of HMPV has been reported in parts of the country but there is no impact in Jharkhand. I have been closely monitoring the situation. There is no need to panic as no cases of the HMPV infection have so far been reported in the state," Ansari told reporters at Congress headquarters here.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Amid rising concern surrounding HMPV cases, Union Health Secretary MS Punya Salila Srivastava reviewed the health situation of state and UTs in virtual mode to present the situation of respiratory illnesses in India.
The meeting was attended by Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary (DHR); Dr (Prof) Atul Goel, DGHS; Health Secretaries and officials of States, experts from NCDC, IDSP, ICMR, NIV and State Surveillance Units of IDSP.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Ex-WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan has told NDTV that there is no point of keeping an HMPV cases tally as the virus was spreading earlier as well.
HMPV Cases LIVE: With two HMPV cases have been detected in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said it is not dangerous, but it is good to take precautions.
Siddaramaiah told people there is no need to worry, but appealed to them to be cautious.
"We discussed HMPV (at health department meeting). It is not a very worrying virus. It is not the one that is prevalent in China. The virus that has been detected is an existing one. It infects children, aged people and those with less immunity," PTI quoted Siddaramaiah as saying.
Speaking to reporters, he said, "The virus is not dangerous. I have spoken to several doctors and experts, but it is good to take precautions."
"I appeal to people, there is no need to worry. But be cautious and take precautions. Health department has advised dos and don'ts, follow them," he added.
HMPV Cases LIVE: With no cases of HMPV till now in state, Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao on Tuesday said an advisory has been issued to civil surgeons, to remain vigilant in their respective areas concerning respiratory diseases, including the latest HMPV.
Rao emphasized that the health department is fully alert and prepared for any eventualities. She directed all civil surgeons to make necessary arrangements for the treatment of influenza, HMPV, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory diseases.
The minister added under her instructions, an advisory has been issued by the Director General Health Services to civil surgeons.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Amid HMPV cases surge in India, the Patna district administration on Tuesday urged people to follow the guidelines issued by the Centre and the Bihar government, reported PTI.
A statement issued by the Patna district administration said, as PTI quoted, "People should follow the health advisory issued by the authorities concerned to prevent HMPV disease. District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh also directed the district civil surgeon to ensure better functioning of hospitals for proper treatment of patients suffering from respiratory diseases, including seasonal influenza and HMPV."
"The DM has categorically said that there is no need for people to panic. All preparations have been made by the district administration as per the standards," it said.
HMPV Cases LIVE: To monitor the spread of HMPV and assess the situation, the Mizoram government has formed a committee, PTI quoted an official statement on Tuesday.
The committee was set up following a meeting which was chaired by Health Minister Lalrinpuii on Monday.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil on Tuesday said HPMV is a common virus and there is no need to panic, reported PTI.
Shandil added HMPV's prevalence in India and other countries has been registered since 2001. He also mentioned the Union health ministry is continuously monitoring the spread or severity of HPMV.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday said there was nothing to be concerned about as the HMPV been detected in several Indian states, including Kerala, in the past, reported PTI.
She urged the people not to spread fake news about the virus to create unnecessary fear among the public. However, she advised wearing masks as a precautionary measure against any airborne viral infection including HMPV.
Adding more, George stated that even ICMR made it clear that the HMPV was not a new virus.
HMPV Cases LIVE: With seven HMPV cases reported in India, the central government has advised states to step up surveillance for respiratory illnesses, including ILI and SARI, and spread awareness, reported PTI.
The samples of infected people have been sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Nagpur and the National Institute of Virology in Pune.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Director of Uttarakhand Medical Health and Family Welfare, Sunita Tamta, on Tuesday emphasized the importance of following health precautions and staying vigilant for high-risk groups like children and the elderly amid recent cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in India, reported ANI.
She pointed out that the HMPV is a virus similar to any other flu.
"But those at high risk, such as children and the elderly, need to be cautious during this time, as it can affect them if precautions are not taken. My main appeal is that there is no need to panic, but caution should definitely be increased. If anyone experiences flu-like symptoms, they should maintain distance, use a handkerchief while coughing, and pay special attention to their diet. If symptoms occur, follow medical advice and take the necessary medication," ANI quoted her as saying.
"I have also issued guidelines for all hospitals to ensure that beds, oxygen plants, and ICUs are kept up to date. Everyone has been instructed to exercise caution," Tamta added.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Speaking to media on the HMPV virus, Additional Director (Public Health) Dr Nilam Patel said, as quoted by ANI, "HMPV virus is not a new virus, it was detected for the first time in 2001 but the virus mutates many times, so due to mutation its outbreak increases many times. The Gujarat government is also taking action on this. There is no need to panic, there is no such situation. One case was diagnosed yesterday. The patient was a 2-month-old child. He was discharged yesterday evening...So, there is nothing to fear..."
HMPV Cases LIVE: Amid the discovery of two suspected cases in Nagpur, Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif while speaking to the media said that there is no need to panic but children and elderly with co-morbid conditions need to stay alert.
He said, as PTI quoted, "The effect of the HMPV virus is being seen in many countries of the world. There is no need to panic. Out of the 5 patients, one patient has been discharged. The remaining patients are recovering. Children and elderly with co-morbid conditions need to stay alert."
The minister has appealed to the citizens to follow the guidelines and create awareness about this disease among people.
HMPV Cases LIVE: Citing the detection of cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the Odisha government on Tuesday asked all medical facilities and laboratories in the state to remain prepared to tackle any exigency, reported PTI.
However, no case has been detected in Odisha so far.
HMPV Cases LIVE: On HMPV virus, Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif said on Tuesday, as quoted buy ANI, "There is no need to panic. Out of the 5 patients, one patient has been discharged. Children and elderly with co-morbid conditions need to stay alert."
HMPV Cases LIVE: On the HMPV virus, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Tuesday said, as quoted by ANI, "There are no mortalities due to this virus. Since children and the elderly are vulnerable, they need to take precautions. No SoPs issued by Govt of India over the testing of samples yet."
HMPV Cases LIVE: On HMPV virus, Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh said, as quoted by ANI, "There is no case of HMPV virus in Punjab till now. This is a mild virus which doesn't cause serious illness. It is not like Covid. There is no need to panic. Our hospitals, beds, and emergency equipment are ready. Covid was a new virus, this is an old virus. Those having cough and cold should wear masks."
HMPV Cases LIVE: On the HMPV virus, Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said, as quoted by ANI, "It is not an alarming situation as of now. The central government has also clarified this. The Dungarpur case is under control. This virus has been there already..."
