On Monday, two infants from Bengaluru were found to have Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). They were a 3-month-old girl and an 8-month-old boy. They tested positive for this virus at the private Baptist Hospital in the city. Good news: the girl has been sent home, while the boy is still recovering. Both babies had previous health issues related to bronchopneumonia.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found these cases during regular checks for different respiratory viruses. They promise to keep an eye on the situation throughout the year.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, announced that the government is taking necessary steps to stop the virus from spreading. He mentioned that the Health and Medical Education departments are having meetings to discuss how to handle the situation. Although HMPV is not considered dangerous, they will provide all necessary support.
On Monday, the Medical Education Department met with heads of district medical colleges to share guidelines on how to deal with potential new cases. They later issued a notice explaining that HMPV can cause symptoms like cough, fever, runny nose, and shortness of breath. In serious cases, it could lead to bronchitis or pneumonia, especially in young kids, older adults, and those with weak immune systems.
Currently, there is no special treatment or vaccine for HMPV. The focus is on helping patients feel better with rest, hydration, and medicines for pain and fever. Severe cases may need hospital care with oxygen or IV fluids, according to Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil.
ICMR stated that India is well prepared for any rise in respiratory illnesses. Doctors suggest checking patients with breathing problems for HMPV early on. Experts mentioned that while the virus is not fatal, it is wise to follow COVID-19-like precautions, such as avoiding crowded places, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Dr. Darshana Reddy, a Senior Consultant, emphasized that HMPV is similar to other respiratory viruses.
She also recommended the government to start quick screenings and more testing, which could lead to finding a vaccine in the future. Dr. Sheela Chakravarthy, a Director at Fortis Hospital in Bengaluru, noted that it’s too soon to compare HMPV to COVID-19, as this virus has not caused the same level of severity or widespread issues. She pointed out that HMPV has been in viral tests for respiratory infections but wasn’t regularly checked before. Now that it is becoming more noticeable, more testing and studying its impact on people in India are crucial.
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