Total 8 hMPV Cases in India: Everything we should know about this infection.

The world is now concerned with another dangerous virus, Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV). After covid-19 caused massive disruption in our lives, hMPV poses the same scenario with its similarity to the virus. India has also now reported its eight cases of hMPV in cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Salem. Though the virus has become a global health issue that first emerged in Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, Indian health authorities have assured in a conference that the surge of influenza-like illness is quite low. This indicates that the rate of contagious disease for hMPV is lower than covid-19. The strain of the virus belongs to the most notorious Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) virus.

What are the symptoms associated with hMPV?

Similar to covid-19, hMPV’s very first case was identified in China with the end of 2024. This disease specifically impacts the respiratory system, causing similar symptoms to covid-19. The infected person can experience high fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing. The worst case can cause acute pneumonia. Be it children or old-age, everyone falls in the bandwidth of this virus. Some experts claim that this virus is quite well known in the healthcare field and is curable.

How to prevent the spread of hMPV?
The Indian health ministry has been monitoring the situation since the cases have been diagnosed in the country. WHO’s former chief scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, shared some preventive measures for us all to follow against this virus:

• Practice good hygiene like continuous hand washing.

• Covering your mouth and nose with a good-quality mask in crowded places.

• Avoid going close to people with cold-like symptoms.

• Don’t ignore the common flu. Seek medical attention for proper diagnosis.

State Government’s Response
All the Indian states are on alert to keep a check on the surge of cases. The state governments across the country directed health departments to remain vigilant. Many specialized medical teams have been deployed in crowded areas like airports and railway stations. Learning hard lessons from covid-19, Indian health authorities are ensuring they take proactive measures to curtail the spread of this virus.

Key Takeaways
Yes, hMPV has entered India, but the number of cases is significantly low. But this shouldn’t stop you from taking preventive care. In order to keep the situation under control, you should take preventive care to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from this infection. At last, there is no need to panic, but we shouldn’t take these cases lightly. Stay vigilant, stay safe!