Two HMPV infections were reported in the central Indian city of Nagpur on Tuesday, while two were reported in the cities of Bengaluru and one each in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Salem on Monday. Among the cases is a three-month-old girl who tested positive for HMPV on Monday. Another case involved an eight-month-old boy who tested positive for both HMPV and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
HMPV can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages. Young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of serious illness from the virus. According to the CDC, symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.
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HMPV infections are Reportedly increased in ChinaThere is worldwide interest, but Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, director of infection prevention and control at Children’s Medical Center Plano in Texas, told CBS News this week that there is no concern over a possible new pandemic.
“It’s been circulating for a while, so people have some immunity,” he said, adding that the virus was quite stable, unlike COVID 19 A virus that mutates frequently makes it difficult to fight.
India’s federal government on Monday asked states to step up surveillance of respiratory diseases and spread awareness on how to prevent transmission of HMPV. Precautions include covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, washing your hands frequently, and wearing a mask in crowded areas.
“Health experts have made it clear that HMPV is not a new virus; it was first identified in 2001 and has been circulating around the world for many years,” Indian Health Minister JP Nadda said on Monday. ,” Indian Health Minister JP Nadda said on Monday. “The country’s health system and surveillance networks are alert and there is no reason to panic.”
Nadda said the infected persons had no recent travel history to India and the government was “closely monitoring the situation in China and neighboring countries.”
The health ministry also said that HMPV infections were “no cause for concern”, as there had been no unusual increase in respiratory diseases in the country, and noted that India was well prepared for any increase.
“Virus infection is usually a mild and self-limiting condition and most cases resolve on their own,” the ministry said in a statement. statement on Tuesday.
Health agencies, such as the United Nations World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have not expressed concern about HMPV infections in Asia.
Contributed to this report.