HMPV cases in India highlights: Mumbai reports first case, 6-month-old child tests positive

HMPV Cases in India updates: Catch all the major news updates on human metapneumovirus cases here

HMPV cases latest updates: Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao on Tuesday said an advisory has been issued to civil surgeons in the state to remain vigilant in their respective areas concerning respiratory diseases including human metapneumovirus (HMPV). In a statement, she said there is no report of any case of HMPV infection in the state. However, she emphasized that the health department is fully alert and prepared for any eventualities.  On Tuesday, the health ministry urged states to increase surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), after reports of a surge in HMPV cases in China. This development followed a meeting held by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Monday to look into the current status of  Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases.  HMPV tends to peak in winter and early spring. The infection is usually mild and self-limiting. For healthy adults, HMPV typically causes mild symptoms similar to the common cold, including a sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, and mild fever. However, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems may develop more severe respiratory issues like wheezing, shortness of breath, and pneumonia. In vulnerable groups, especially infants, symptoms can become severe and include wheezing (high-pitched breathing), shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest retractions (visible chest muscle use during breathing), and cyanosis (bluish tint to lips or fingers)

  HMPV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion. It is a well-known respiratory pathogen, circulating globally since its identification in 2001. It predominantly affects children under the age of five, with most individuals experiencing at least one infection by this age.

2:47 PM

Jharkhand unaffected by the human metapneumovirus infection: Health Minister Irfan Ansari

Jharkhand's health minister said they were waiting for the Centre's guidelines on the prevention of infection. I have asked the health secretary to hold a discussion with all civil surgeons and issue a guideline so that they could follow, he said.

 

2:02 PM

News update: Central government steps up HMPV vigil but cautions against panic

11:09 AM

Mumbai reports first case, 6-month-old child tests positive for HMPV

A six-month-old baby admitted to a hospital's intensive care unit last week tested positive for the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), following reports of a surge in HMPV cases in China. 

11:03 AM

No reports of HMPV cases in Haryana, prepared for any eventualities: Health minister Rao

Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao on Tuesday said an advisory has been issued to civil surgeons in the state to remain vigilant in their respective areas concerning respiratory diseases including human metapneumovirus (HMPV). In a statement, she said there is no report of any case of HMPV infection in the state. However, she emphasized that the health department is fully alert and prepared for any eventualities.

10:50 AM

Follow guidelines, no need to panic: Patna district admin

"People should follow the health advisory issued by the authorities concerned to prevent HMPV disease. District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh also directed the district civil surgeon to ensure better functioning of hospitals for proper treatment of patients suffering from respiratory diseases, including seasonal influenza and HMPV," a statement issued by the Patna district administration said.

10:18 AM

Isolation wards created in civil hospitals in three Gujarat cities

After Gujarat registered its first case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), Isolation wards have been created in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Rajkot civil hospitals as a precautionary measure. The development came a day after the state government revealed a two-month-old boy admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad was detected with the HMPV infection nearly two weeks ago. 

9:37 AM

No need to worry as virus is not dangerous, take precautions, says Karnataka CM

"We discussed HMPV (at health department meeting). It is not a very worrying virus. It is not the one that is prevalent in China. The virus that has been detected is an existing one. It infects children, aged people and those with less immunity," Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.