Noida: HMPV has caused panic in China, and infected people have been confirmed in states like Karnataka and Gujarat in India. In such a situation, all CHCs and PHCs of Gautam Buddha Nagar district have been alerted. All the staff of CHCs and PHCs have been asked to remain alert and keep all the treatment-related facilities in good condition. The symptoms of this virus are similar to colds and flu. People with weak immunity have been advised to take special precautions.
This is not a new virus, we are keeping an eye on the situation; Health Minister JP Nadda
Union Health Minister JP Nadda has said that the HMPV virus is not new and that there is no need to panic. The government is keeping an eye on the situation. Health experts have clarified that HMPV is not a new virus. It was first identified in 2001 and has been spreading all over the world for many years. HMPV spreads through the air through breathing. It can affect people of all age groups.
Close monitoring of the situation
The virus is more transmissible during the winter and early spring months. The Health Minister said that following recent reports of HMPV cases in China, the Ministry of Health, ICMR and National Centre for Disease Control are keeping a close watch on the situation in China as well as neighbouring countries. He said WHO has also taken cognizance of the situation and will share its report with us soon. ICMR has reviewed the available data on respiratory viruses. No unusual increase in cases of any of the common respiratory viral pathogens i.e. influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) has been observed in India.