Five cases of HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus), which is spreading panic in China, have also been found in India. The first two cases were found in Bengaluru. Here HMPV infection was found in two children aged eight months and three months. The third case was found in Gujarat, where a two-month-old child was found positive with HMPV virus. Apart from this, information has been received about two cases in Chennai. The Health Ministry has said that special monitoring should be done on the cases of this virus, but an expert has made such a claim which will scare you a lot. He told that children below two years of age are most at risk from this virus. The most frightening thing is that even though this virus was identified in 2001, till now neither any medicine nor vaccine has been made for it.
How dangerous is HMPV?
In this matter, ABP Live spoke to PCIR Chairman Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Dr. GC Khilnani. He said that no one can forget the havoc of the Corona epidemic. There are thousands and millions of viruses like it in the world. HMPV was identified in 2001. It causes mild cough and cold. Especially children below five years of age are easily affected by it and the risk is very high for children below two years of age. According to Dr. GC Khilnani, the concern at this time is that the mutation of the virus has not been detected yet. It cannot even be said which mutation this is. Apart from this, there is no information about the severity of the virus. If it mutates badly then it can spread like Covid. Some people are saying that this is a new virus but it is not so.
How much danger are there to small children?
Dr. Khilnani said that this virus quickly affects children below two years of age and the elderly. The period of this virus is three to six days. Its only symptoms are fever, cold and cough. It quickly affects those people whose immunity is weak. Such people may also have to be admitted to ICU.
Also read: What should be the diet when infected with HMPV virus? Make immediate arrangements to avoid danger
There is no vaccine or medicine for this virus.
According to Dr. Khilnani, there is no vaccine for human metapneumovirus. At the same time, we also do not have its anti-viral drug. Its treatment is according to the symptoms. This is the reason why in all the cases that have come to light so far, the patients are being treated based on their symptoms.
Transmission will be reduced only with caution
According to experts, first of all there is a need to understand how this virus spreads. He said that if the infected person touches non-living objects like table, chair and door, then the virus can be transmitted. If an infected person goes to a public place then this virus can spread. If you have symptoms of cold, cough or cold then avoid going to public places. Take precautions like washing hands and wearing a mask.
Also read: No travel history from China, yet where are HMPV cases coming from? Know what is the reason
How much has HMPV mutated?
Dr. Khilnani told that it is not yet known how much this virus has mutated, because its data has not been revealed. In such a situation, it cannot be said how great the danger is. There is no need to panic right now. The Health Ministry is keeping an eye on this. Any major danger can be avoided only with caution. In such a situation, everyone should be careful.
Also read: Is it right to go to China at this time amidst the threat of HMPV? Know your work
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