Gujarat has found its first confirmed case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), making it the third case in India. Health officials are staying alert for any respiratory illnesses because of the rise in HMPV cases in China. The Health Ministry is reassuring people that there’s no need to panic, as they have strong systems in place to keep an eye on respiratory illnesses with help from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
Two Cases in Bengaluru
In Karnataka, two cases of HMPV were also found during regular health checks for respiratory viruses. The Health Ministry shared that these cases highlight ICMR’s ongoing work to track respiratory illnesses across the country.
HMPV is a virus that can cause respiratory problems. It is already present in many parts of the world, including India. So far, there has not been a big increase in cases of flu-like symptoms or severe respiratory illness in India due to HMPV.
One affected patient is a 3-month-old baby girl who was diagnosed after being taken to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru for bronchopneumonia. Thankfully, she has now recovered and was sent home. The second case involves an 8-month-old baby boy who also tested positive for HMPV while being treated at the same hospital and is currently doing well.
Neither of these infants traveled internationally, which means their infections are local and not linked to outbreaks from other countries. The Union Health Ministry continues to watch the situation through all available channels.
Precautions Suggested
As the situation develops in China, Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, advised older adults and pregnant women to wear masks as a precaution, but she emphasized there’s no need for alarm right now. She mentioned that while there are reports of a rise in respiratory infections in China, no new viruses appear to be preparing for a pandemic.
According to the information available, three types of viruses may be causing respiratory issues in China: HMPV, some COVID-19 variants, and Influenza A. Currently, there are no signs that these viruses are mutating in ways that could cause increased problems.
The Health Minister stated infections like HMPV affect younger children and older people more, so they need to be especially careful. Kids should stay home from school when they’re sick, and anyone with breathing symptoms should wear masks. There’s no immediate cause for worry, but monitoring will continue.
Leave a Reply