Mumbai:
After three circumstances of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) had been reported in India, Maharashtra Well being Minister Prakash Abitkar on Monday urged the individuals of the state to observe the rules issued by the Maharashtra Well being Division and central authorities and mentioned that there’s “no have to panic.”
“As a result of affected person recognized in Bengaluru, many individuals in Maharashtra are additionally fearful however from the well being division, we’re interesting to all of the individuals of Maharashtra, do not relate your self with the affected person in Bengaluru. Please maintain your self protected 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 individuals 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 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 by way of the rules. The knowledge 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 also be interesting to residents to observe the rules,” the BMC acknowledged.
“It’s a seasonal illness that normally happens in winter and early summer season, like RSV and flu. The virus was first detected within the Netherlands within the yr 2001. There isn’t any trigger for concern concerning the report of Human Metapneumovirus virus detected in China. Crucial precautions are being taken on this regard and there’s no have to create an environment of pointless panic,” the BMC acknowledged.
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 once they cough or sneeze.
“Wash your palms steadily with cleaning soap and water or alcohol-based sanitiser. Steer clear of public locations when you’ve got fever, cough and sneeze. Drink loads of water and eat nutritious meals. Guarantee that there’s satisfactory air flow all over the place to scale back transmission,” it added
The well being division urged the individuals to not shake palms and never reuse tissue paper and handkerchiefs.
“Shut contact with sick individuals. Touching your eyes, nostril and mouth steadily. Spitting in public locations. Taking medication (self-medication) with out consulting a physician,” it acknowledged.
Earlier at present, Union Well being Minister JP Nadda assured the people who there isn’t 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 specialists have clarified that HMPV isn’t 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 by way of 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 mentioned.
The Ministry of Well being, in a launch, has acknowledged that these circumstances had been detected as a part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to watch 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 circumstances in India.
The ICMR emphasised that regardless of the detection of those two circumstances, there was no vital enhance in Influenza-Like Sickness (ILI) or Extreme Acute Respiratory Sickness (SARI) circumstances within the nation.
One of many affected people is a 3-month-old feminine toddler, who was recognized with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She had a historical past of bronchopneumonia and was discharged after receiving therapy.
The second case includes 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 typical respiratory virus that causes an higher respiratory an infection.
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