Maharashtra Government Issues Advisory on HMPV, Increases Surveillance in Nagpur
Nagpur, India: Two children, aged 7 and 13, in Nagpur, have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), but health officials are urging the public not to panic. The children’s samples have been sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Nagpur for further testing. If needed, the samples will be sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation.
The children had visited a private hospital with symptoms of fever, cold, and cough. After testing positive for HMPV, they were given treatment and sent home.
Local authorities, including Divisional Commissioner Vijayalaxmi Bidari and District Collector Dr. Vipin Itankar, have assured the public that there is no reason to worry. Dr. Itankar confirmed that the children are suspected of having HMPV but emphasized that the diagnosis is not yet confirmed. “We are waiting for further test results,” he said, urging people not to share unverified information about the virus on social media.
AIIMS Executive Director Dr. Prashant Joshi explained that HMPV is not a new virus, as it has been known since 1958 and has circulated in many countries, including China. He assured the public that there is no need to panic, as people have developed immunity since the pandemic. “We will conduct further tests to confirm the virus and assess if it’s a new strain,” Dr. Joshi added.
Following the cases in Nagpur, the Maharashtra government has set up a task force to manage the situation. The task force will develop a plan to address any potential increase in cases. The State Health Department has also issued a guideline to monitor people showing symptoms like cold and cough closely.
Health officials are monitoring the situation carefully, and there is no need for widespread concern at this time. Testing and surveillance are ongoing, and the public is advised to follow official health updates.
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