Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava met with senior officials of state and union territories via virtual meeting to discuss HMPV cases in India. Senior officials of the health ministry also attended the meeting and mentioned that the data collected till now does not indicate any unusual rise in the prevalence of respiratory illness.
HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) has been present globally since 2001 and it can affect all people of age between 5 to 70 years. It is a respiratory illness and in most cases, it recovered on its own. The ministry also said that the prevalence of respiratory diseases is usually high in the winter season.
The Union government has also advised the states to be well-prepared if there will be unusual increase in cases. The total cases in India is now reaches to 7 after two more children aged 7 and 14 found positive in Nagpur.
As per the sources available, there is the same situation as Corona in our neighbour country China. China has seen drastic increase in HMPV cases in last few weeks.
As the count reaches 7 in India, this has also impacted the stock market yesterday. Foreign Institutions and Investors are taking out their money from the Indian market.
Prevention of transmission of the HMPV
As suggested by the health ministry there are few things you can do for the prevention of transmission of the virus.
- Use hand sanitizers or wash your hands with soap and water before taking them near your mouth eyes and nose.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Use masks in public gathering.
- Avoid touching your face multiple times.
Treatment of HMPV
Currently, there is no vaccine or anti-viral therapy to treat HMPV.
Symptoms of HMPV
Symptoms are similar to coronavirus symptoms. Affected person might see cough, fever, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, suffocation, and body pain.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has said that there was no cause for concern over HMPV and we are well prepared for any mishappening.
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