From Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan 4: The Centre is closely monitoring the situation following the outbreak of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, especially in the Northeast because of its proximity to that country.
China has reported the outbreak of HMPV, a respiratory illness among children and the elderly over the past couple of weeks. Indian government officials said the situation is not alarming but they are keeping a watch across the country, mainly in the Northeast.
Commenting on the disease, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Atul Goel said HMPV is like any other respiratory virus, causing common cold and flu-like symptoms in very old people and young children. “There was no substantial increase in the cases reported for respiratory illness at our centres in December 2024,” he added.
The symptoms of this viral infection are similar to those caused by other respiratory viruses and range from mild, such as a runny nose, to severe breathing difficulties and chest pain. Medical experts said there is no specific or approved therapy for HMPV at this time, with only symptomatic relief measures being taken for the illness.
“The public should take general precautionary measures as they usually do against respiratory infections,” an expert said. Similar monitoring was done when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out first in China.
