HMPV: Telangana Issues ‘Precautionary’ List of Dos And Don’ts, Says No Major Spike In Respiratory Infections

The Telangana health department emphasised in a statement this weekend that there is no HMPV outbreak, having compared data of respiratory illnesses in December 2023 & December 2024. 

'Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing' is one of the guidelines.

Source : Pixabay

HMPV: Despite the Centre reassuring Indians that the reported rise in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection cases in China is not a cause for alarm, there is fear among the people. Two cases of HMPV have been reported from Bengaluru, and another from Ahmedabad, even as health experts emphasise that the virus has been around for a while and isn’t a new threat. 

The Director-General of Health Services (DGHS) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), Government of India, have clarified that HMPV behaves similarly to other respiratory viruses such as common cold and flu during the winter months, and that the younger and older age groups are particularly vulnerable to an infection.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has declared that the cases in Karnataka were identified through its routine surveillance for various respiratory viruses amid ongoing efforts to monitor such conditions nationwide. Confirmation with regard to the Gujarat case was issued by the state health minister.

The Telangana health department, while emphasising that there is no HMPV outbreak (having compared data of respiratory illnesses in December 2023 to those in December 2024), has urged citizens to follow certain preventive measures to protect against respiratory infections in general.

Here are the guidelines issued in the state:

Dos (Recommended Precautions To Prevent Respiratory Infections)

1. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing.
2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
3. Avoid crowded places and maintain distance from individuals showing flu-like symptoms.
4. Stay home if you have a fever, cough, or are sneezing, and limit contact with others.
5. Ensure good ventilation in indoor spaces to reduce the risk of transmission.
6. Stay hydrated, eat nutritious food, and get adequate sleep to strengthen your immunity.

Don’ts (What To Avoid)

1. Shaking hands or having close contact with sick individuals.
2. Reusing tissues or handkerchiefs.
3. Frequently touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
4. Spitting in public places.
5. Taking medications without consulting a doctor.

The writer is a senior independent journalist.