Bengaluru, Jan 6 (NationPress) In response to the discovery of two instances of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Monday that the government will enact suitable precautionary measures to prevent further transmission of the virus.
During a media briefing at Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister remarked: "The HMPV virus has been reported in China, and it has now been identified in Karnataka. Consequently, directives have been issued to the Health Department to initiate steps to mitigate the spread of this virus."
The Health Minister has already convened a meeting, and the Health and Medical Education Departments will implement the required measures to manage the virus's spread, he indicated.
When questioned about the potential resumption of screening at airports as a precautionary strategy, Siddaramaiah replied: "The Health Minister is currently discussing this matter, and decisions regarding the precautionary measures to be taken in the state will be made soon."
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, speaking to the media after an emergency meeting focused on the HMPV virus, stated: "The public is understandably anxious about this issue. There is widespread information regarding the outbreak in China. The identification of the HMPV virus in two individuals in the state has also raised concerns among the populace."
"Let me clarify that the HMPV virus is endemic in the country. It is one of the many viruses causing influenza-like illnesses (ILI), which include symptoms such as cough, cold, and respiratory infections. This is not a new virus in India," he elaborated.
The minister added that it cannot be labeled as highly dangerous or lethal, as it has coexisted in the country and globally for many years. "It was first detected in The Netherlands. The Central government and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conduct surveillance... typically, about one percent of the population may contract HMPV when ILI cases arise. Data supporting this is available," he mentioned.
"The mortality rate remains low. Once the HMPV virus enters the body, it persists for a while but can be eliminated following treatment. In the two identified cases, one child has already been discharged, and the other is recovering well and will be discharged shortly," Rao confirmed.
"It is misguided to think that there is a significant crisis requiring everyone to wear masks or avoid going outside. There is no proposal for a lockdown at this time. I urge the media not to incite panic," he appealed.
"If additional symptoms arise, individuals should take precautions and steer clear of crowded places. However, the public can remain calm; the HMPV infection poses no threat to life. There is currently no information regarding a new strain from China. The Central government is actively monitoring the situation," Rao stated, adding that these were the discussions from the emergency meeting.
"If a mutated strain were present, we would expect to see an increase in cases nationwide. However, such a trend has not been observed in India. The infection appears to be more prevalent among children and the elderly," he noted.
"Testing is being conducted as usual. We will proceed based on guidance from the Central government regarding testing protocols," he concluded.
"Maintain normalcy and take precautions. Should any further developments occur, we are in contact with the government of India and ICMR. We will inform the public of any significant updates," Rao assured.
There are multiple confirmed cases of HMPV in Puducherry and Gujarat. There is no immediate need for further studies. If a situation arises in the future, we will address it accordingly, he stated.
"Last year, over 2 lakh cases of ILI were recorded in our state, yet there were no fatalities. The HMPV cases are not classified as reportable and fall under the category of ILI," he emphasized.
"In the event of any emergency or surge in cases, our infrastructure is prepared. We have a system in place similar to that for Covid-19. However, the current situation in the state does not warrant such measures," Rao reiterated.
