‘Avoid panic’: Amid HMPV scare, Pune district collector calls for taking precautionary measures

As per state health department data, a total of 48,019 people with suspected influenza-like symptoms were screened in Maharashtra from January 1 to January 8.

The first case was recorded in the state on January 6 when a 2-month-old boy from Rajasthan was detected with HMPV (PTI)

Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi Friday ruled out any major concerns related to human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

“This is not a new virus and we have urged people not to panic,” Dudi said. After taking a detailed review of the situation in Pune and interacting with experts, it is clear that this virus is a mild one. Hence basic precautionary measures are important like consulting a doctor if diagnosed with an influenza-like illness, he added.

Approximately 20 HMPV cases were diagnosed in Pune in 2023-24 in the paediatric group and another four to five cases in the adult group with co-morbid conditions.

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According to an official statement from the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries. Based on current data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country.

When contacted, Dr Aarti Kinikar, Head, Department of Paediatrics, B J Medical College, said the last case of HMPV in Pune was detected on November 28 last year.

B J Medical College is one of the surveillance sites under the ICMR project and daily two to four nasopharyngeal samples are sent to the ICMR-NIV for tests.

The state has also stepped up surveillance following reports of the HMPV outbreak in China. As per state health department data, a total of 48,019 people with suspected influenza-like symptoms were screened in Maharashtra from January 1 to January 8. A total of five people were diagnosed with influenza A in the state.

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