Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) were detected in Karnataka, the Union Ministry of Health said Monday. Of the two infants diagnosed with the infection, one has already been discharged from the hospital.
State Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao assured citizens that there was no reason to panic as HMPV was a common strain, even as he denied reports that these were the first cases. A meeting is scheduled to be held around noon on Monday to assess the situation in Karnataka.
The first case of HMPV was detected in a three-month-old baby girl who was diagnosed after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. The infant, who had a history of bronchopneumonia, has since been discharged.
The second case was detected in an eight-month-old baby boy who tested positive for HMPV on January 3 at the same hospital. According to the ministry, the infant is now recovering. “It is important to note that neither of the affected patients have any history of international travel,” the ministry’s update, issued by the Press Information Bureau, said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state will take precautions. “HMPV has been detected in Karnataka. The health and medical education departments will take all measures to curb the spread of the virus.”
Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens as part of efforts by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country.
“It is emphasised that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries. Furthermore, based on current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-like illness or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness cases in the country,” the update said.
Speaking to reporters, minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “Reports of this being the first case are not true. This is an existing virus and a certain percentage of people get affected by this virus. It is not something new.”
According to the minister, the outbreak in China was from a new variant of HMPV about which full details are not yet available. “HMPV has been there for a long time and it causes common symptoms and is a self-limiting virus,” he added.
“We are discussing with ICMR and the Government of India to see whether we need to take any further steps,” Rao said.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
