HMPV Virus Cases LIVE: While India has confirmed three cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) - two in Karnataka and one in Gujarat - health officials have been emphasisng that there is no need to panic as the it is not a new pathogen, adding that regular flu shots or even the three Covid vaccine doses makes one immune to this infection.
HMPV virus cases | Key points
- India on Monday confirmed its first three cases of HMPV - two in Karnataka and one in Gujarat. All the cases have been detected in children. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that the two cases in Karnataka were detected during routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.
- A three-month-old female infant, who had been hospitalised with bronchopneumonia at Baptist Hospital of Bengaluru, was diagnosed with HMPV and has since been discharged. Additionally, an eight-month-old male infant, also admitted to Baptist Hospital with bronchopneumonia, tested positive for HMPV on January 3 and is currently recovering.
- Notably, neither of the infants had a history of international travel, the ministry said in its statement.
- In Gujarat, a child belonging to Rajasthan's Dungarpur was admitted to the private hospital in Chandkheda locality of Ahmedabad on December 24 with symptoms of respiratory infection, a PTI report mentioned. After tests, the infant was found positive for the HMPV, the news agency quoted Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's in-charge medical officer of health Bhavin Solanki as saying.
- Health experts across hospitals and health bodies have been emphasising that there is no need to panic over HMPV as it is not a new pathogen and results in regular flu-like symptoms. While there is no vaccine for it, experts say that regular flu shot and even the three doses of Covid vaccine makes one immune from HMPV.
The ministry said that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with it have been reported in various countries.
Source: Hindustan Times
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