Maharashtra Forms Task Force Amid HMPV Cases in Nagpur
In response to the detection of two Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in Nagpur, the Maharashtra government has set up a dedicated task force to oversee the situation and implement necessary measures. The task force, headed by Dr Pallavi Saple, the Dean of JJ Hospital, will focus on establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and outlining further action in dealing with the virus.
The two affected individuals, both young girls aged 13 and 7, had displayed symptoms of fever and cough. After two days of persistent fever, they underwent testing at a private laboratory, where they were confirmed to have contracted the HMPV. Fortunately, their condition has remained stable, and they are recovering at home without the need for hospitalisation, according to sources from the public health department. While the HMPV virus is causing concern, health officials have assured the public that there is no cause for panic. Dr Avinash Gawande, Superintendent of the Government Medical and Hospital in Nagpur, described the virus as mild, emphasising that it is not similar to COVID-19. However, he recommended that children wear masks to minimise the risk of transmission. In an effort to quell any widespread alarm, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar convened an urgent departmental meeting, which also saw the participation of Union Minister of State for Health, Prataprao Jadhav.
As part of the response, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been placed on high alert, with special wards designated to treat any potential HMPV patients. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reassured the public on Monday, stating that the virus was not new and that it had been present in previous years. He urged people to rely on official information rather than unverified reports. The Union Health Ministry is also expected to issue regulations on handling the virus. The state’s health department has since issued an advisory urging district administrations to ramp up surveillance, particularly for patients presenting with cold and cough symptoms. Dr Nitin Ambadekar, Director of the Health Department, highlighted that HMPV is a common respiratory virus, often seen during winter and early summer, similar to the flu. While the virus poses no immediate threat of a widespread epidemic, authorities are closely monitoring respiratory infection trends and advising citizens to follow health precautions. Citizens are being urged to adhere to guidelines aimed at reducing the spread of respiratory infections, as the government prepares for any future cases of HMPV.
