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HMPV Virus Cases Live Updates: 'We are ready', says Haryana health minister Arti Singh Rao on HMPV

HMPV Virus Cases Live Updates: A fresh case of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been confirmed in Puducherry, involving a child, a...

The Times of India | Jan 14, 2025, 19:20:43 IST

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19:20 (IST), Jan, 14

Haryana health minister Arti Singh Rao on HMPV: 'We are ready'

As concerns rise over the HMPV virus, Haryana Health Minister reassures the public, emphasizing preparedness and calm.

In response to growing concerns over the HMPV virus, Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao reassured the public that the state is well-prepared to handle the situation. Speaking to the media, Rao emphasized that all districts in the state have been informed to stay vigilant.

"We are ready. All the districts have been informed to stay alert... I want to request that the people should not be panicked. This virus can spread but it is not dangerous. It can be treated," said Rao.

Her remarks come as authorities step up their efforts to contain the virus and raise awareness about its symptoms and treatment. The health minister’s call for calm aims to prevent unnecessary panic while ensuring that the public remains cautious and informed.

17:18 (IST), Jan, 14

HMPV virus Case live updates: What experts said on HMPV?

"HMPV is not a new virus; it was first identified in 2001. The virus is an emerging health concern, but there's no reason to panic. Understanding its symptoms, taking necessary precautions, and adhering to testing protocols are critical to managing its spread effectively," said Aabid Amin Bhat, the medical director at Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals.

08:45 (IST), Jan, 14

Is HMPV similar to COVID? What everyone should know

According to Dr Harish Bhatia, Founder Director, Rebreathe Clinic, Senior Consultant Chest Specialist, and Physician, Apollo Hospital, with HMPV, most commonly occurring symptoms are fever, cold, runny nose, sore throat etc. but gut issues are rarely observed. But when it comes to COVID-19, it presents as a persistent dry cough, fever, fatigue, difficulty in breathing etc. and a unique characteristic symptom is loss of taste as well as smell. Also gastrointestinal concerns such as nausea or diarrhoea are also evident with coronavirus.

08:44 (IST), Jan, 14

HMPV virus Case live updates: 'HMPV hardly represents gastrointestinal concerns'

About the symptoms of hMPV, Dr Shubham Vatsya, Senior Consultant Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj said, "HMPV hardly represents gastrointestinal concerns and very rarely manifests as nausea or vomiting. But in the case of COVID-19, there are certain gut troubles occurring too such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. The symptoms can sometimes precede or co-occur with respiratory issues and may even complicate its diagnosis."

07:52 (IST), Jan, 14

HMPV Virus Case Live Updates: Unusual symptoms of the infection one must know

The common symptoms of hMPV, as stated by WHO in its fresh guidelines are: cough, fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body ache and headache. "It can make a few people quite sick, causing infection of the lung (pneumonia) or inflammation of the airways to the lungs (bronchiolitis, bronchitis). Symptoms of more severe disease include wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, severe fatigue, dehydration, or a persistent fever that does not improve. If someone is experiencing any of these severe symptoms, they should seek medical advice," the UN health agency suggests.

06:11 (IST), Jan, 14

HMPV Virus Cases Live Updates: AIIMS Rishikesh director downplays HMPV concerns

Dr Meenu Singh, director of AIIMS Rishikesh, addressed public concerns regarding human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases previous week. She said the virus is not a new threat and has circulated in India for a long time. HMPV primarily affects children under five, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

The virus causes respiratory illness and is most active during winter, often appearing alongside RSV. Symptoms include cold, cough, and shortness of breath. Singh advised prompt medical assessment for children exhibiting such symptoms.

“HMPV is a respiratory virus which usually affects kids under the age of five, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. This is not a new virus…It usually affects during winter and occurs alongside RSV. If a child has symptoms of acute respiratory infection like a cold, cough, or shortness of breath, then the child needs to be assessed immediately. Antibiotics don't help treat this virus,” she explained.

06:11 (IST), Jan, 14

HMPV Virus Cases Live Updates: HMPV not new; stay calm, take basic precautions, says experts

Amid growing concerns over the detection of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in India, health experts have emphasised the virus is not new, and advised people to stay calm and take basic precautions. HMPV, that causes upper respiratory infection, recently gained attention following an outbreak in China. While it can affect people of all age groups, experts said India has not witnessed any unusual surge in cases.

The HMPV typically spreads through the air, especially during winter and early spring.

"HMPV is not a new virus; it was first identified in 2001. The virus is an emerging health concern, but there's no reason to panic. Understanding its symptoms, taking necessary precautions, and adhering to testing protocols are critical to managing its spread effectively," said Dr Aabid Amin Bhat, the Medical Director at Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals.

He said the common symptoms of an HMPV infection include cough, fever, fatigue, respiratory illness, sore throat, body aches, and gastrointestinal issues in some cases.

06:10 (IST), Jan, 14

HMPV Virus Cases Live Updates: The rate of HMPV infections in northern China is declining, Chinese health official says

The rate of infections with the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern China is declining, a health official said Sunday, amid some international concern over a potential pandemic.

HMPV, which belongs to the same family as the respiratory syncytial virus, causes flu or cold-like symptoms including fever, cough and nasal congestion. The symptoms often clear up by themselves, though they can cause lower respiratory tract infections among children, older adults and those immunocompromised.

“The human metapneumovirus is not a new virus, and has been with humans for at least several decades,” said Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a press briefing by China’s National Health Commission.

Wang added that the increase in recent years in the number of cases of the virus, first detected in the Netherlands in 2001, is due to better detection methods.

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06:10 (IST), Jan, 14

HMPV Virus Cases Live Updates: Another child tests positive for HMPV in Puducherry, undergoing treatment in JIPMER

One more child in Puducherry tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and is undergoing treatment in the centrally administered JIPMER here, a top official said. Director of Health for Puducherry, V Ravichandran, in a release on late Sunday said that the girl child complained of fever, cough and running nose. She was admitted in JIPMER a few days ago and has been under treatment.

He said that the child was recovering well and all precautionary measures had been taken.

Puducherry reported the first HMPV (a three-year-old child) last week and was treated in a private hospital. The girl was discharged on Saturday after a full recovery.

The Puducherry administration has geared up all steps in the context of the virus, the Director said.

06:10 (IST), Jan, 14

HMPV Virus Cases Live Updates: Another child tests positive for HMPV in Puducherry, 3 cases reported so far

One more child has tested positive for Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Puducherry, a senior official said on Monday. With this, the number of positive cases has gone up to three. Director of Medical Services V Ravichandran said in a release that the baby had complaints including fever, cough and was admitted to JIPMER here on January 10. The child was recovering well, he said.

With this the number of HMPV positive cases (all children) in Puducherry has risen to three. Earlier two children in the age group of three and five years had tested positive for the virus.

Puducherry government has geared up infrastructure facilities in two State-run hospitals, the Director said.

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