Mumbai:
After three instances of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have 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 mentioned that there’s “no must panic.”
“As a result of affected person recognized in Bengaluru, many individuals in Maharashtra are additionally nervous 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 hold your self secure by following the rules issued by the Maharashtra Well being Division and the central authorities’s well being division…there is no such thing as a want for folks to panic,” Mr Abitkar informed reporters.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Company on Monday mentioned that no Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) case has been reported in Mumbai and urged the residents to take precautions.
“Varied information has been revealed within the media concerning the continued outbreak of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus in China. The Directorate of Well being Providers, Pune issued a tenet on this regard on January 3, 2025. Details about what to do and what to not do has been given by way of the rules. The data is being given by way of 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. Nonetheless, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Company administration can be interesting to residents to observe the rules,” the BMC said.
“It’s a seasonal illness that often happens in winter and early summer time, like RSV and flu. The virus was first detected within the Netherlands within the 12 months 2001. There is no such thing as a trigger for concern concerning the report of Human Metapneumovirus virus detected in China. Mandatory precautions are being taken on this regard and there’s no must create an environment of pointless panic,” the BMC said.
Nonetheless, 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 after they cough or sneeze.
“Wash your fingers steadily with cleaning soap and water or alcohol-based sanitiser. Keep away from public locations in case you have fever, cough and sneeze. Drink loads of water and eat nutritious meals. Guarantee that there’s enough air flow in every single place to scale 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 steadily. Spitting in public locations. Taking drugs (self-medication) with out consulting a physician,” it said.
Earlier immediately, Union Well being Minister JP Nadda assured the people who there is no such thing as a want to fret because the well being methods and surveillance networks of the nation are vigilant and able to reply promptly to any rising well being challenges.
“Well being consultants have clarified that HMPV shouldn’t be a brand new virus. It was first recognized in 2001 and it has been circulating in the complete world for a few years. HMPV spreads by way of the air, by the use of respiration. This may have an effect on individuals of all age teams. The virus spreads extra through the winter and the early spring months,” he mentioned.
The Ministry of Well being, in a launch, has said that these instances have 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 international locations, 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 important enhance 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 includes an 8-month-old male toddler who examined optimistic 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 typical respiratory virus that causes an higher respiratory an infection.
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