Hyderabad: Hyderabad is gearing up to fight the spread of HMPV virus after India’s first two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) were detected in Bengaluru. While no cases have been detected in Telangana, government hospitals in the city are taking certain measures to prepare for potential outbreaks.
The Government Fever Hospital in Nallakunta has reserved two isolation wards equipped with 76 ICU beds and 26 ventilators specifically for HMPV cases. These facilities were initially allocated for monkeypox cases, but with no reported cases of the disease, authorities have redirected resources to address the HMPV cases. Moreover, 150 out of 330 general beds at the hospital have been allocated for managing any future outbreaks.
Dr Parashuram from the Fever Hospital reassured the public, stating, “There is no need to panic about HMPV. It belongs to the same family as measles and has been around for years. The virus, discovered in 2001, does not seem to have a history of causing pandemics like Covid-19 or swine flu. It tends to appear seasonally and fade away.”
He explained that HMPV usually causes mild respiratory symptoms like the common cold but may lead to some complications in infants, the elderly, or individuals with weak immune systems, depending on the individual’s pre-existing conditions. He further claimed that he has noted a slight increase in respiratory infections following the New Year celebrations.
In case of suspected HMPV virus, health officials plan to use testing methods similar to those followed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Patients’ travel histories and symptoms such as high fever, giddiness, nausea, dehydration, heavy cough, and runny nose will be examined before testing. However, government hospitals are still waiting for testing kits and reagents from the authorities.
Gandhi Hospital is awaiting instructions from the Central government. Officials are currently in discussions with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to plan their response to the virus.
Health experts advise the public to avoid crowded places, practice frequent handwashing, and limit contact when feeling sick to reduce the risk of infection.
