As people in India are getting worried about the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) people in health precautions assured that the virus is not new and is in no way similar to covid-19. There are four confirmed cases in the country, two in Bengaluru, one in Kolkata, one in Gujurat and authorities are dismissing it as no threat.
As shown by Additional Professor Dr. Neeraj Nischal at AIIMS Delhi, HMPV was first identified even earlier than Covid-19 has been around for decades. “This virus has been present since the 1950s for most children develop an immunity to this virus by the time they reach 10 years of age. He reassured them that was not uh necessary to panic.”
Similar to other parts of the country, two cases were reported from Bengaluru, Karnataka where the health minister Dinesh Gundurao cleared the air saying: “HMPV is known to cause mild respiratory infections. “There are no deaths, no increase, and there is no crisis in the country.”
Likewise, Gujarat health officials, again stating after one case had been confirmed, said that HMPV infections were relatively mild. Dr. According to Rakesh Joshi, from Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, people should avoid going out, wear masks and follow the symptoms of COVID-19. “Recovery usually takes from 5-7 days don’t rightly require more specific medication or vaccines,” he further explained.
**What Is HMPV?**
The newly identified virus is known as a human metapneumovirus and was first identified in the year 2001 It falls under the family of Paramyxoviridae and is related to respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. The disease is transmitted through air droplets, skin-to-skin contact or by touching a contaminated object, and most affects children, the elderly, and immuno-compromised individuals.
Internationally, HMPV was recently in the news after a flare up in china compared to Covid 19 . But the Indian health officials have come out to clarify that the situation is not in anyway like that.
Health organizations still follow the progress and make recommendations to wash hands often, avoid congested areas, and avoid leaving house if feeling sick. Till date, no wave or critical outbreak has been cited in India.
