Citizens urged to strictly follow dos and don’ts to stay safe
Clarion India
MUMBAI — The Maharashtra health department has asked the district administration to maintain a strict vigil and step up surveillance of patients with colds and coughs in the wake of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases reported elsewhere.
The health department’s advisory also said that no cases of the new virus have been detected in the state so far, IANS reported.
Health Department Director Dr Nitin Ambadekar said human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes respiratory infections. “This virus was first detected in the Netherlands in 2001. It is a common respiratory virus that causes infections in the upper respiratory tract. It is a seasonal epidemic and occurs in winter and early summer, like the flu. So far, no case of HMPV has been found in the state,” he was quoted as saying
With the increased risk of HMPV, the Health Department has analysed the respiratory infection statistics in the state and found no increase in respiratory infections since December 2024 compared to 2023. As a precautionary measure, the Health Department has said that citizens should take precautions to protect themselves from respiratory infections. In its advisory, the state health department has released dos and don’ts for the citizens.
The list of dos includes:
• Covering mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue paper when coughing or sneezing,
• Washing hands frequently with soap, water, or alcohol-based sanitiser,
• Staying away from public places if anyone has a fever, cough, or sneeze
• Drinking plenty of water and eating a nutritious diet, and
• Maintaining adequate ventilation in all areas to reduce infection.
The list of don’ts comprises:
• Avoid handshake, tissue paper and handkerchief recycling, close contact with sick people, frequent touching of eyes, nose and mouth, spitting in public places, and medicines without a doctor’s advice.
“There is no reason to worry about the ongoing HMPV epidemic in China. Necessary precautions are being taken in this regard and there is no need to create an atmosphere of unnecessary fear. Against this backdrop, the health department officials have been asked to intensify the surveillance in their respective areas of work and submit regular survey reports of cold and cough patients,” said Dr Ambadekar.
The health department’s advisory comes in the wake of the detection of two HMPV cases by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Karnataka. According to the Health Ministry, both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens. The surveillance is part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country. — With inputs from IANS
