~ Co-authored by Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Director-Critical Care, S. L. Raheja Hospital- A Fortis Associate &Dr Farah Ingale, Director-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi ~
New Delhi, January 07, 2025: The recent outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China has created waves of concern in India and globally. On January 6, three cases of the HMPV virus were reported in India: two in Karnataka, two in Tamil Nadu, and one in Gujarat. Today, two more cases were detected in Maharashtra, bringing the total to seven. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) came out with a public advisory to help dispel myth and panic around the virus. MoHFW has emphasized that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries. Furthermore, based on current data from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country, thus there is no reason for dread or panic.
While international bodies and the national government continue to do their best to spread awareness and ramp up treatment facilities, the community must also be alert &cautious by keeping the following points in mind.
SYMPTOMS: HMPV exhibits symptoms similar to other viral and respiratory infections. Be on the lookout for signs like cold, cough, fever, runny nose, difficulty in breathing and sore throat; seek medical help if these clinical signs are there. Children below five years of age, individuals over 65 and those who are immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to it.
TRANSMISSION: HMPV primarily spreads through respiratory droplets of an infected individual, close personal contact, and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus followed by touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
KEY PREVENTATIVE MEASURE: We need to follow guidelines that are being issued by the State and Central Health Departments. These guidelines are updates as the trajectory of the virus changes. For now, the general public has been advised to:
- Wear a mask in public places
- Avoid going to public spaces if symptomatic
- Cover mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing
- Limit contact with sick individuals
- Not reuse linen, tissues or handkerchiefs
- Frequently wash hands with soap and water
Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year. The World Health Organization (WHO) is already providing timely updates regarding the situation in China to further inform ongoing measures. —
Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)
