According to reports, two human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases were found in Bengaluru on Monday. HMPV seems to be the cause of the recent increase in respiratory problems in China.
An eight-month-old Bengaluru child tested positive for HMPV, according to the media. Two separate cases were reportedly found at the hospital in Bengaluru. The patients at Baptist Hospital in north Bengaluru, where the cases were recorded, had no prior international travel history. The eight-month-old child has no history of travel and is reportedly undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bengaluru.
According to reports, the child’s medical tests came back positive, and the Karnataka Health Department confirmed the case. The Union Health Ministry confirmed the reports on Monday. “The reports have come from a private hospital, and we have no reason to doubt the tests of the private hospital. We don’t know what strain of virus this is yet because we don’t have data on the strain of the virus detected in China”.
About the HMPV outbreak
Similar to COVID-19, the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) can infect persons of all ages with respiratory illnesses, but it is particularly common in young kids, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
Flu-like symptoms, including coughing, runny or blocked noses, sore throats, and trouble breathing, are among the symptoms that usually show up three to ten days after infection. Bronchitis and pneumonia can also occur in certain situations. According to K Padmavathi, the director of public health and family welfare of Andhra Pradesh, the disease is more common among children, the elderly, and people with long-term medical conditions.
Concern has been stirred around the world by the recent claims of an HMPV breakout in China. The ongoing flu season, however, makes the situation in China normal, according to India’s Ministry of Health. “The reports also suggest that the cause of the present surge is the influenza virus, RSV, and HMPV—the usual pathogens that are expected during the season,” it added.
The Indian government said it “is keeping a close watch over the situation through all available channels, and WHO has also been requested to share timely updates regarding the situation in China.”
Advisories, precautions
Meanwhile, advisories were issued by a number of states, including Delhi, to prevent the virus from spreading. To ensure preparedness for possible health issues associated with HMPV and other respiratory viruses, Delhi health authorities released an advisory on Sunday.
For suspected situations, universal precautions and stringent isolation methods are now required. To ensure accurate surveillance, hospitals must keep accurate records of SARI patients and lab-confirmed influenza cases. They have been instructed to ensure the supply of oxygen for serious situations and paracetamol, antihistamines, bronchodilators, and cough syrups for mild cases.
Pregnant women and the elderly should wear masks, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, adding that currently there is no reason to fear. “Children should not be sent to school during illness. Those with respiratory symptoms should definitely use masks. There is currently no cause for concern. We are monitoring the situation in China,” she said.
As worries about the HMPV outbreak in China grew, the Telangana state government released a list of dos and don’ts on Saturday. Telangana has no documented cases of HMPV, the state administration noted. Meanwhile, health officials in Andhra Pradesh recommended, among other precautions, covering the mouth and nose with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing and washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. The affected youngsters and elderly would receive care at government facilities, she stated, adding that there is presently no specific antiviral medication or vaccine for HMPV.
In addition, the Ministry of Health said that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will monitor HMPV trends all year long and that more labs will screen for HMPV cases.
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