Govt to hold meet on Wed to assess dist-level HMPV preparedness
Bhubaneswar: Amid concerns about flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections causing respiratory illnesses, state govt has decided to review the need for robust preventive measures at the district level.
Secretary of health and family welfare, Bijay Kumar Mohapatra, said on Sunday that a crucial meeting will be held on Wednesday to assess the preparedness of districts in combating HMPV cases. Mohapatra said that, so far, they have not received any specific guidelines to manage these infection. “State govt is awaiting guidelines from the technical advisory group on HMPV formed by the ministry of health and family welfare before implementing specific measures,” he added.
He said they will align their response strategy with the Centre’s directives and emphasised the importance of a coordinated approach in addressing potential challenges. Mohapatra said that symptoms of HMPV infection include common cold, fever and cough. “In the worst case, the infected person may contract pneumonia, a viral disease. We are continuing the surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI)/severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP),” he added.
He said that there is no specific treatment for the infection. “It is similar to treatment for pneumonia. We have developed facilities in the hospitals since the time of Covid-19 pandemic. We are prepared,” he added.
Mohapatra said HMPV infection is not severe. “That does not mean we will become complacent. We have kept an eye on the developments. We will do whatever the central guidelines ask us to do. We have told the district administrations to conduct surveillance of ILI/SARI cases. We are giving importance to paediatric cases,” he added.
Official sources said the meeting is expected to focus on preventive measures, healthcare infrastructure assessment, and district-level response protocols.
According to the ministry, HMPV infections are reported in people of all ages, particularly during winter and early spring. The viral infection is usually mild and self-limiting, and most patients recover on their own.
Centre has advised people to take precautionary measures like washing hands often with soap and water; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands; avoiding close contact with people exhibiting symptoms of the disease; and covering their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
Secretary of health and family welfare, Bijay Kumar Mohapatra, said on Sunday that a crucial meeting will be held on Wednesday to assess the preparedness of districts in combating HMPV cases. Mohapatra said that, so far, they have not received any specific guidelines to manage these infection. “State govt is awaiting guidelines from the technical advisory group on HMPV formed by the ministry of health and family welfare before implementing specific measures,” he added.
He said they will align their response strategy with the Centre’s directives and emphasised the importance of a coordinated approach in addressing potential challenges. Mohapatra said that symptoms of HMPV infection include common cold, fever and cough. “In the worst case, the infected person may contract pneumonia, a viral disease. We are continuing the surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI)/severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP),” he added.
He said that there is no specific treatment for the infection. “It is similar to treatment for pneumonia. We have developed facilities in the hospitals since the time of Covid-19 pandemic. We are prepared,” he added.
Mohapatra said HMPV infection is not severe. “That does not mean we will become complacent. We have kept an eye on the developments. We will do whatever the central guidelines ask us to do. We have told the district administrations to conduct surveillance of ILI/SARI cases. We are giving importance to paediatric cases,” he added.
Official sources said the meeting is expected to focus on preventive measures, healthcare infrastructure assessment, and district-level response protocols.
According to the ministry, HMPV infections are reported in people of all ages, particularly during winter and early spring. The viral infection is usually mild and self-limiting, and most patients recover on their own.
Centre has advised people to take precautionary measures like washing hands often with soap and water; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands; avoiding close contact with people exhibiting symptoms of the disease; and covering their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
