HMPV First Case in India: HMPV virus is spreading rapidly in China. Now that virus has started spreading its legs outside China also. Yes, the HMPV virus from China has now knocked in India. Two cases of HMPV have been found simultaneously in India. HMPV has been confirmed in two children aged three months and eight months. The discovery of these two cases of HMPV has created a stir.
In fact, HMPV i.e. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been confirmed in an 8-month-old child in a private hospital in Bengaluru. Surprisingly, the child has no travel history. That means he has not gone to China or anywhere else. The test conducted in the hospital’s lab has confirmed HMPV virus in the child’s body. This has also been confirmed in a 3 month old child. Karnataka Health Department has given this information to the Central Government.
The Karnataka Health Department may wait for further instructions from ICMR and the Union Health Ministry. However, it is not yet clear whether this is the same strain of HMPV that is increasing cases in China. It is important to mention here that HMPV mostly targets children and the elderly. In China too, this virus has been found mostly in children. Its symptoms are similar to corona. Cold and cough also occur in this.
What is this virus?
HMPV i.e. Human Metapneumovirus is an RNA virus. In a way, it is similar to Corona. Human metapneumovirus is a common respiratory virus. This virus is seasonal in a way. Its effect is usually visible in winter and spring. It’s just like the flu. This metapneumovirus is wreaking havoc in China. This virus is now taking a dangerous form. Lakhs and crores of people have fallen prey to it. Crowding in hospitals has increased. However, China is now denying this. This virus has been present on earth since 1958. But scientists discovered it for the first time in 2001. Till now its vaccine has not been made.
symptoms of hmpv virus
- This virus mostly attacks children and the elderly.
- In this, infection occurs in the respiratory and lung tubes.
- This causes cough and difficulty in breathing.
- Sore throat, headache and fatigue.
- Cough, fever, chills and runny nose.
India also on alert mode
The Indian government is also on alert mode due to HPMV virus like Covid in China. Maharashtra’s health department is on alert. Not only this, the governments of Kerala and Telangana also said that they are closely monitoring the news of large-scale cases of viral fever and respiratory infection in China and there is no need to panic at the moment. The Health Department of Maharashtra Government has advised citizens not to panic, but to be cautious. Officials were ordered to conduct regular survey of cold and cough patients. Orders were also given to follow hygiene rules.
Tags: Bangalore news, India news, Karnataka
FIRST PUBLISHED : January 6, 2025, 09:40 IST