KOHIMA — Following the detection of three
positive cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in India on Monday, Nagaland’s
Health department has emphasised that there is nothing to worry about, as it is
not “severe” but a ‘regular influenza virus type.’
In India, three infants—two in Karnataka and one in
Gujarat—have tested positive for HMPV.
State Nodal Officer for Integrated Disease Surveillance
Programme, Dr. Nyanthung Kikon, told Eastern Mirror that the department is
monitoring the situation in all the health units and advised people not to
panic.
"There is nothing to worry about as of now," he
said while adding that it is like any influenza virus type that goes up during
winter.
He noted that HMPV is not a new disease but has been around
for some time, with the world's first case discovered in 2001.
The state Health department is expected to issue guidelines
on HPMV for public consumption by Tuesday.
As a precautionary measure, the official suggested that
basic hygiene measures should be followed.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Council of Medical Research
(ICMR) announced the detection of two cases of HMPV in Karnataka.
Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for
multiple respiratory viral pathogens as part of ICMR's ongoing efforts to
monitor respiratory illnesses across the country.
The Union Health Ministry, in an update, stated that the
HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of
respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various
countries.
Furthermore, based on current data from ICMR and the
Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no
unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory
Illness (SARI) cases in the country, it stated.
A three-month-old female infant was diagnosed with HMPV
after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, with a history of
bronchopneumonia. She has since been discharged.
Then an eight-month-old male infant tested positive for HMPV
on January 3 after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, with a
history of bronchopneumonia. The infant is now recovering, the ministry stated.
It noted that the affected patients do not have any history
of international travel.
The ministry added that it is monitoring the situation
through all available surveillance channels.
ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation
throughout the year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is already providing
timely updates regarding the situation in China to further inform ongoing
measures.
The recent preparedness drill conducted across the country
has shown that India is well-equipped to handle any potential increase in
respiratory illnesses, and public health interventions can be deployed promptly
if needed, it added.
Meanwhile, the third case of HMPV has been detected in
Ahmedabad in a two-month-old infant.
