Two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) were identified on Thursday. The first case is from Uttar Pradesh. A 60-year-old woman has been found positive in Lucknow. Balrampur Hospital Director Dr. Sushil Chaudhary confirmed this.
The second case is from Gujarat. HMPV report of a 7-year-old child in Himmatnagar, Gujarat has come positive. However, this report is from the lab of a private hospital. The government report will come by evening.
There have been a total of 11 cases related to the virus in the country. Three cases have been reported in Maharashtra, 2 each in Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and one each in West Bengal and UP.
After the HMPV case surfaced, the states have also increased vigilance. In Punjab, the elderly and children have been advised to wear masks. In Gujarat, isolation wards are being made in hospitals. In Haryana too, the health department has been ordered to monitor HMPV cases.
Small children are most affected. When infected, patients show symptoms like cold and Covid-19. Its maximum impact is being seen on young children. Among these, children under 2 years of age are the most affected. The Centre has advised the states to increase surveillance of respiratory diseases like 'Influenza Like Illness' and 'Severe Acute Respiratory Issues' and spread awareness about HMPV.
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