HMPV cases : Health Director urges all to remain calm Preventive measures same as Covid
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 8 : Even as seven cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected across the country, the State Health Department has said that there is no need to panic and all district surveillance units are on alert.
The Health Department, in a bulletin signed by its Director Dr Chambo Gonmei, said that no cases of HMPV have been reported till date in Manipur and a mock drill for preparedness of health facilities to meet any outbreak/unusual surge was conducted from November 12 to 14 last year.
Current focus on HMPV is due to reports of a rise of HMPV cases in China which the Chinese officials attributed to seasonal increase in respiratory diseases in winter, the Health Department said.
Saying that HMPV which is a respiratory disease discovered in 2001 is not a new virus or an imminent pandemic threat, it added that seasonal surges, however, are typical.
There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV.
Further stating that cough, fever, nasal congestion, shortness of breath are some of the common symptoms of HMPV infections, the bulletin added that bronchitis and pneumonia may occur in severe cases.
HMPV is transmitted through respiratory droplets, close personal contact or from contaminated surfaces, the Health Dgency added that preventive measures of HMPV are very much similar to COVID-19.
Washing hands regularly, avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, maintaining cough etiquette and staying at home when sick can prevent HMPV outbreak, it said and urged the people to contact the district health authority if there are any suspected cases of HMPV.
Meanwhile, the Health Department said that there is no unusual surge of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in the country as per IDSP data.
ILI/SARI surveillance, nonetheless, has been strengthened, it added.
IMPHAL, Jan 8 : Even as seven cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected across the country, the State Health Department has said that there is no need to panic and all district surveillance units are on alert.
The Health Department, in a bulletin signed by its Director Dr Chambo Gonmei, said that no cases of HMPV have been reported till date in Manipur and a mock drill for preparedness of health facilities to meet any outbreak/unusual surge was conducted from November 12 to 14 last year.
Current focus on HMPV is due to reports of a rise of HMPV cases in China which the Chinese officials attributed to seasonal increase in respiratory diseases in winter, the Health Department said.
Saying that HMPV which is a respiratory disease discovered in 2001 is not a new virus or an imminent pandemic threat, it added that seasonal surges, however, are typical.
There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV.
Further stating that cough, fever, nasal congestion, shortness of breath are some of the common symptoms of HMPV infections, the bulletin added that bronchitis and pneumonia may occur in severe cases.
HMPV is transmitted through respiratory droplets, close personal contact or from contaminated surfaces, the Health Dgency added that preventive measures of HMPV are very much similar to COVID-19.
Washing hands regularly, avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, maintaining cough etiquette and staying at home when sick can prevent HMPV outbreak, it said and urged the people to contact the district health authority if there are any suspected cases of HMPV.
Meanwhile, the Health Department said that there is no unusual surge of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in the country as per IDSP data.
ILI/SARI surveillance, nonetheless, has been strengthened, it added.