HMPV in India: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is spreading rapidly in China, has also entered India. HMPV virus has been found in two children in Karnataka. The Union Health Ministry said that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected HMPV infection in two children in Karnataka. HMPV infection has been found in a three-month-old girl and an eight-month-old boy. After the discovery of these two cases, the Health Minister of Karnataka has called an emergency meeting.
It is noteworthy that HMPV Virus is wreaking havoc in China. There is a sudden increase in the number of patients in hospitals here. Most of the patients have been admitted from the child ward these days. The situation has reached the point of becoming uncontrollable in many states of China. Not only this, there is also news of loss of lives of a large number of people due to the outbreak of this virus. Due to the rapid spread of HMPV virus, emergency has been declared in many states of China. This virus is mostly making the elderly and children its victims.
In view of the havoc of HMPV virus spreading in China, alert has been declared in India. In India too, the Health Ministry has started strict monitoring. Due to this virus, advisories have also been issued in many states of India. The government has given instructions to monitor cases of fever and respiratory symptoms. The Government of India says that the number of labs to test cases of HMPV virus will also be increased. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will monitor the impact of the HMPV virus.
Who is HMPV preying on?
HMPV mostly targets children, elderly and people with weak immunity. When affected by the virus, people may complain of cold, fever, cough and phlegm. If the case becomes serious, there may be blockage of the respiratory tract and a wheezing sound in the throat.
When the HMPV virus reaches a serious condition, the patient may also suffer from bronchiolitis (inflammation of the tube that carries oxygen to the lungs) and pneumonia (filling of water in the lungs). Its symptoms are very similar to Corona virus. However, Corona virus can wreak havoc in every season. Whereas HMPV is considered to be a seasonal infection. But in some places it is present throughout the year.
The effect of HMPV virus lasts for three to five days.
hmpv virus treatment
At present, there is no vaccine available to protect against HMPV virus, nor is there any medicine yet to reduce its effects. Even anti-viral medicines are not having any effect on it.
