HMPV In India: This Maharashtra City Reports 2 Cases In Children, Tally In India Rises To 8

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that there is no reason to worry and added that the government is closely monitoring the situation.

The ministry said it is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

HMPV In India: Two fresh cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) were reported in Maharashtra's Nagpur on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases in India to eight. On Monday, India reported HMPV cases in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Gujarat. 

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that there is no reason to worry and added that the government is closely monitoring the situation.

He said HMPV is not a new virus and no surge in any of the common respiratory virus pathogens has been observed in the country. The WHO has "taken cognisance of the situation and will share the report shortly with us", he said.

In a video message, Nadda said in the wake of the recent reports of HMPV in China, the Health Ministry, the ICMR, the country's apex health research body, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are keeping a close watch on the situation in China and other neighbouring countries.

Which States Have Now Confirmed HMPV Cases?

Two infants in Karnataka, two children each in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, and one child each in Gujarat and West Bengal have tested positive for HMPV.

The Union Health Ministry emphasised that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with it have been reported in various countries.

The ministry said it is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. The ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year.

Union Health Secretary Chairs Meet With States

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a meeting with states and union territories to review the present situation of respiratory illnesses in India and the status of the HMPV cases. He said there was no surge in the country of respiratory illness as sturdy surveillance was being done to detect such cases. States have been advised to strengthen awareness among the masses regarding preventive measures, a government statement read.