New Delhi: Monday kicked off on a horrific note for most Indians as the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection, currently wreaking havoc in China, has reached India. This comes five years after the COVID-19 pandemic that spanned over three years and claimed millions of lives globally. In India, the first case was detected in Bengaluru in an eight-month-old baby. But offering a sigh of relief to millions, doctors confirmed that the virus has been in India before, in the early 2000s and most people are already immune to it. Furthermore, doctors said that newborns and children aged five years or less are at risk of the same. Yet, many are concerned about their safety and are now seeking preventive measures.
Prevention from HMPV
In an interaction with Dr. Sunil Kumar K, Lead Consultant – Interventional Pulmonology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, shared some simple preventive measures for people to mitigate the risk of contracting HMPV infection.
“Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, five years after the COVID-19 crisis, is a significant public health concern. HMPV primarily causes respiratory symptoms similar to influenza and COVID-19, including fever, cough, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, especially among young children and the elderly, it can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia,” said Dr Sunil.
Preventive strategies include maintaining good hand hygiene, wearing masks in crowded places, and practicing respiratory etiquette, such as covering coughs and sneezes. It’s also advisable to avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting respiratory symptoms. Given the absence of a vaccine, these measures are crucial in controlling the spread of the virus.
While HMPV shares transmission characteristics with COVID-19, such as spread through respiratory droplets, it is generally less severe. However, co-circulation with other respiratory pathogens, including influenza and Mycoplasma pneumonia, as reported in China, can complicate clinical outcomes and pose additional challenges to public health systems.
Continuous surveillance and public awareness are vital in managing this outbreak. Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic, early detection, transparent communication, and adherence to preventive measures are key to mitigating the impact of HMPV and safeguarding public health.
Continuous surveillance and public awareness are vital in managing this outbreak. Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic, early detection, transparent communication, and adherence to preventive measures are key to mitigating the impact of HMPV and safeguarding public health. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
