Vijayawada:Tamil Nadu-based Clinical Infectious Disease Society (CIDS) has appealed to people not to panic with regard to the reported outbreak of Human Metaphenumovirus (HMPV).
The society advised people to remain vigilant and take steps to prevent the spread of this virus.
In a statement on Wednesday, CIDS president Dr. George M. Varghese recommended preventive measures to reduce transmission of HMPV and other respiratory viruses. These include practising cough etiquette by covering mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing, washing hands frequently with soap and water, wearing masks in crowded or high people density settings, and avoiding close contact with individuals showing respiratory symptoms.
The society statement clarified that HMPV is not a novel pathogen. It had been first identified in 2001 in the Netherlands. HMPV is closely related to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The virus is a well-recognised cause for respiratory infections, particularly among children and elderly persons.
HMPV accounts for nearly 2–8 per cent of community respiratory viral infections globally.
CIDS underlined that there is no current evidence to suggest any significant genetic changes in HMPV that could lead to severity or increased transmissibility of the virus. It emphasised that the population immunity levels have remained stable.
Dispelling fears, the society said advancements in diagnostic technologies, like multiplex PCR and film array panels for respiratory viruses, have improved the detection of HMPV in recent years. It maintained that the current increase in cases reported is attributable to heightened surveillance and better diagnostics, rather than actual rise in infections.
CIDS observed that the population at risk are children, elderly above 65 years of age, and immunocompromised individuals with weakened immune systems.
