HMPV virus cases live: A woman with her face covered in cloth walks past a wall mural promoting awareness of using face masks in Varanasi on January 7.
HMPV virus cases live: The Centre reviewed the status of respiratory illness outbreaks in the country on Tuesday after reported isolated cases of HMPV infections. The meeting assessed public health measures to manage potential disease outbreaks and advised states to strengthen awareness of preventive measures. Five Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases were reported from different parts of India on Monday. The Centre and health experts urged people not to panic and said the virus is neither a new pathogen nor causing a widespread disease outbreak.…Read More
Several states issued guidelines to increase their health departments’ preparedness for disease outbreaks. Odisha began testing at several places on Tuesday following a standard advisory from the Centre. The Uttar Pradesh government will hold a high-level meeting to discuss the state’s disease preparedness.
Latest update on five reported HMPV cases-
–Two people were suspected to be infected by the virus in Nagpur. Their medical records were sent to AIIMS Nagpur for medical examination.
-Two cases from Tamil Nadu, one in Chennai and one in Salem, are reportedly stable and continue to be clinically monitored. The state government assured of no significant surge in common respiratory viral pathogens.
-A senior doctor said a two-month-old infant from Rajasthan, admitted in Ahmedabad, is doing “all right” after medical attention. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel also assured the public that there is “no need to panic”.
-A three-month-old female infant, admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru, was discharged. Another eight-month-old infant is recovering from the infection. Both had a history of bronchopneumonia but had no recent history of international travel.
The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms. Studies show it has circulated in human populations since the 1970s, though scientists first identified it in 2001.
The virus accounts for 4-16% of acute respiratory infections globally, with cases usually peaking between November and May. While most adults have developed immunity through previous exposure, hMPV can cause more severe symptoms in infants encountering it for the first time and in people with weakened immune systems.
