TN Health Minister says no need to panic over HMPV cases

Chennai: Amid rising concerns over the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), the Tamil Nadu government reassured the public on Tuesday, stating there was no cause for panic. Health officials clarified that HMPV is not a new or highly potent virus, and said that the two individuals who tested positive for the virus in the state are in stable condition.

According to the PTI report, one of them, who hails from Salem was a 69 year-old person suffering from cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes while the other, from here, was aged about 45 years, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian told a press conference here.

"Both of them are doing well. There is no need for panic over HMPV and the Centre has also stressed this," he said.

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The virus has not created any big impact in India, and especially in the state, he added.

Those with cold, cough and fever may get themselves tested for HMPV but there was no exclusive treatment for it, the minister said.

He said safety measures like wearing mask, practicing social distancing and hand hygiene were encouraged, especially for the symptomatic. Chief Minister MK Stalin was constantly monitoring the situation, Subramanian added.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in view of reports about rising cases of respiratory illnesses in China in the past few weeks, a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) meeting was held on Saturday under the Chairmanship of DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Disaster Management (DM) Cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) Division, and hospitals, including AIIMS, Delhi participated in the meeting.

What is HMPV?

HMPV, discovered in 2001, comes in the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). However, serological studies have shown that it has existed in humans for more than 60 years and is distributed all over the world.

The virus can lead to upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are majorly affected.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.

Also Read:HMPV Scare: Bengaluru reports 2 cases, Gujarat 1