The Ministry’s National Centre for Disease Control is closely monitoring respiratory and seasonal influenza cases in the country and is in touch with international agencies, noted a senior official.
Source India Today |
Meanwhile, Director-General of Health Services Atul Goel told reporters on Friday that no case of the respiratory illness — HMPV — has been reported in the country yet. Stating that the Union government was closely monitoring news about the possible HMPV outbreak in China, he added that as of now, there was no cause for alarm. “HMPV is like any other respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms, mostly in the elderly and children,” said Dr. Goel, adding that respiratory illnesses are common during winters and that hospitals in India are equipped to deal with them. “Special medicines are not needed because there are no anti-viral drugs against this. There are no major cases, in hospitals or as per Indian Council of Medical Research data,’’ he added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health agency of the United States, HMPV can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages, especially among young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Discovered in 2001, the HMPV belongs to the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Broader use of molecular diagnostic testing has increased identification and awareness of HMPV as an important cause of upper and lower respiratory infection.
Symptoms commonly associated with the virus include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection may progress to bronchitis or pneumonia and are similar to other viral infections that cause upper and lower respiratory infections. The estimated incubation period is three to six days, and the median duration of illness can vary depending upon severity but is like other respiratory infections caused by viruses.
The HMPV is most likely to spread from an infected person to others through secretions from coughing and sneezing, and close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands, touching objects or surfaces that have the viruses on them before touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
In the U.S., the HMPV circulates in distinct annual seasons. HMPV circulation begins in winter and lasts until or through spring.
Comments
Post a Comment