Three cases of respiratory distress-causing HMPV - two in Bengaluru and one in Ahmedabad - have been detected amid fears of the virus's spread, as China also recorded a surge in infections. Following the two cases in Bengaluru, the Karnataka government issued an advisory, urging citizens to avoid going to public places if they're symptomatic and to wear masks in crowded areas to reduce the risk of transmission.
In Bengaluru, an eight-month-old boy and a three-month-old girl tested positive for the virus and did not have any history of international travel, authorities said. In Ahmedabad, HMPV was found in a two-month-old child, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital and is stable. The infant's family, who belong to Rajasthan's Dungarpur, reached Ahmedabad for treatment.
The cases come amid reports of a rise in viral infections in China that have been linked to the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory pathogen that was first detected in 2001.
The Indian government, while urging people not to panic, has previously said that HMPV is not a new virus and has been in circulation globally and within the country.
The government said that a case of HMPV was detected in a six-month-old baby in Kolkata in November, highlighting that the virus has been in circulation for a while now.
HMPV CASES IN BENGALURU
The two HMPV cases detected in Bengaluru had a history of bronchopneumonia, a form of pneumonia. The three-month-old has already been discharged while the eight-month-old tested positive for the virus on Sunday and is recovering.
Bronchopneumonia, also known as bronchial pneumonia, is a type of pneumonia that involves inflammation of both the bronchi and the alveoli (the tiny air sacs) in the lungs. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, sweating and chills, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite.
According to the Union Health Ministry, the two HMPV cases in Bengaluru were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of the Indian Council of Medical Research's ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country.
KARNATAKA URGES PEOPLE NOT TO PRESS PANIC BUTTON
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the eight-month-old baby boy is doing fine and would likely be discharged on Tuesday. "This is an existing virus. It is not the first case. Certain category of people have respiratory problems due to the virus. The virus was first found in the Netherlands in 2001," Rao told reporters. Urging people to "not press the panic button", he said the state government held a meeting with medical officers and told them to have further meetings with ICMR and the central government. "We don't know if this strain came from China. They had no history of international travel. They had come from Tirupati," he added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "The HMPV virus has been detected in two children. As soon as I became aware of this, I spoke to Dinesh Gundu Rao. He responded promptly, and any decisions he takes will be implemented. The government will take all necessary precautionary measures to prevent the spread of this disease."
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has issued an advisory, urging citizens to wear masks in crowded areas to reduce the risk of transmission.
Key Preventive Measures:
Cover mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing
Wash hands frequently with soap
Avoid public places if symptomatic
Do not reuse tissue papers or handkerchiefs
Avoid close contact with sick persons
Avoid sharing towels and linen
Minimise touching eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoid spitting in public places
Wearing masks in crowded areas can reduce the risk of transmission.
The government clarified that HMPV is not as transmissible as COVID-19, adding that most cases are mild and do not require hospitalisation.
A separate advisory has been issued for Karnataka schools. Circulars have been sent to parents, asking them to not send their children to school even if they have a mild cough, cold or sore throat.
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