Vijayawada: Director of public health and family welfare Dr Padmavathi has said that Andhra Pradesh has not reported any cases related to Human Meta Pneumo Virus (HMPV), another new virus detected in China. She also mentioned that there is no need for people to panic about the virus.
Speaking to media here on Sunday, Dr Padmavathi said HMPV belongs to the pneumovirus family and is transmitted from one person to another in the same way as the corona virus. She explained that the effect of this virus is more on young children, old people and people with low immunity.
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“The virus spreads through the coughs and sneezes of the already infected patients, and engaging in close contacts with them like shaking hands and touching. Experts have confirmed that if there is a virus on utensils and a person touches the utensils, the virus would spread into the person’s body when they would touch their mouth, nose or eyes with the same hand. Symptoms of the disease appear within three to 10 days after being infected. People infected with HMPV have flu-like symptoms. Cough, stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat and respiratory problems are also seen,” DR Padmavathi said.She advised people to follow the same precautions as during Covid-19 to prevent the spread of the virus. She said that it is better for those, who show symptoms of the virus, to be in quarantine.
People infected with the virus or those showing symptoms are advised not to shake hands with others, not to reuse used towels and handkerchiefs, not to touch eyes, nose and mouth frequently with hands, and not to spit in public places. Similarly, people with symptoms of the virus should not be around others. She suggested that those who are suspected of being infected with the virus should take medicines following doctor’s advice and should not self-medicate.
“So far, there is no specific anti-viral treatment for HMPV. Vaccines have also not been developed. Pain relievers and oxygen therapy are being given for health care. The children and elderly people who are more vulnerable to the severity of the virus will be given appropriate treatment in govt hospitals,” said Dr Padmavathi.
