HMPV Update: 7 cases in India so far; Centre urges states to review surveillance on respiratory illnesses, check dos and don'ts

HMPV Cases in India: Two toddlers in Maharashtra's Nagpur tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), bringing the total number of cases in the country to seven on Tuesday, January 7. 

The two incidents in Nagpur include a seven-year-old and a 13-year-old. The children were first thought to be infected with H1N1 (swine flu), but further polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests showed HMPV.

According to the Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences in Nagpur, both children recovered after receiving outpatient care.

Other 5 cases in India

A 3-month-old female infant, and an 8-month-old male infant, were diagnosed with HMPV at Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru. The first case of HMPV was reported in Gujarat on Monday, January 6. A two-month-old baby infected with HMPV Symptoms of cold and fever. The HMPV report came positive in a private lab. The child belongs to a village near Modasa. In Chennai, two children who came with cold, fever and cough have been confirmed to be infected with the HMPV virus.

State governments issue advisories

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Monday urged the people of the state to follow the guidelines issued by the Maharashtra Health Department and central government and said that there is "no need to panic."

The Delhi government on Monday directed all the hospitals in the capital to remain fully prepared to manage a potential surge in respiratory illnesses following the detection of few cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country.

In Odisha, speaking to media persons, state public health director Nilakantha Mishra said, “There is no need to panic as the Centre has not issued any advisory so far. Still, we are prepared to tackle the situation at any point of time.”

The state has strengthened the disease surveillance system, especially influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), he said.

Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday conducted a teleconference with the officials concerned on the preventive measures being taken in the state and gave clear directions to the officials of the Medical and Health Department to be vigilant and take all the necessary preventive measures.

Dos and Don'ts

• People have been advised to cover their mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue paper while coughing or sneezing.
• "Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitiser. Avoid crowded places; stay at more than an arm's length from persons affected with flu," reads the advisory.
• People have been advised to stay away from public places if they have fever, cough and sneezing. 
• They were asked to drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food. Adequate ventilation with outdoor air is recommended in all settings to reduce the transmission.
• Stay at home and limit contact with others if you are sick, people were advised.
• The Health Department also advised people not to shake hands, and reuse tissue paper and handkerchiefs.

Centre urges States to review surveillance on respiratory illnesses

Amid the rise in HMPV cases in India, the Centre on Tuesday asked the States to review surveillance on respiratory illnesses in the country.

“States must strengthen and review the influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) surveillance,” said Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, while chairing a meeting with States/UTs in a virtual mode.

She reiterated that an increase in respiratory illnesses is usually seen during the winter months.

“The country is well prepared for any potential surge in respiratory illness cases,” the Health Secretary said.

“There is no cause of concern for the public from HMPV which has been present globally since 2001,” Srivastava added.

The meeting was conducted to review the present situation of respiratory illnesses in India and the status regarding the HMPV cases following media reports of a surge in HMPV cases in China, and the public health measures for their management.

Also Read: HMPV Virus Infections: 5 cases detected in India; Bengaluru, Chennai among impacted cities, authorities issue advisories

With agencies inputs