“No Need To Panic”: Maharashtra Health Minister As HMPV Cases Rise

After three instances of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have 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.”

“Because of the affected person recognized in Bengaluru, many individuals in Maharashtra are additionally apprehensive 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 preserve 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 any want for individuals to panic,” Mr Abitkar instructed 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.

“Numerous information has been printed within the media relating to the continued outbreak of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus in China. The Directorate of Well being Providers, 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 data 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 be interesting to residents to observe the rules,” the BMC said.

“It’s a seasonal illness that often happens in winter and early summer time, like RSV and flu. The virus was first detected within the Netherlands within the 12 months 2001. There is no such thing as a trigger for concern relating to the report of Human Metapneumovirus virus detected in China. Obligatory precautions are being taken on this regard and there’s no have to create an environment of pointless panic,” the BMC said.

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 incessantly with cleaning soap and water or alcohol-based sanitiser. Keep away from public locations you probably have fever, cough and sneeze. Drink loads of water and eat nutritious meals. Guarantee that there’s enough 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 incessantly. Spitting in public locations. Taking drugs (self-medication) with out consulting a physician,” it said.

Earlier right this moment, Union Well being Minister JP Nadda assured the folks that there isn’t any 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 shouldn’t be 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 means of respiration. This could have an effect on individuals of all age teams. The virus spreads extra throughout the winter and the early spring months,” he mentioned.

The Ministry of Well being, in a launch, has said that these instances have been detected as a part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to observe and management respiratory diseases throughout the nation. HMPV is a respiratory virus that’s already circulating globally, together with in India. It has been related to respiratory diseases in varied nations, though there was no uncommon surge in instances in India.

The ICMR emphasised that regardless of the detection of those two instances, there was no important improve in Influenza-Like Sickness (ILI) or Extreme Acute Respiratory Sickness (SARI) instances within the nation.

One of many affected people is a 3-month-old feminine toddler, who was identified with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She had a historical past of bronchopneumonia and was discharged after receiving remedy.

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 standard respiratory virus that causes an higher respiratory an infection.

(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)