HMPV Cases in Bengaluru: Karnataka Government Confirms Not the First in India
Click to start listening
Bengaluru, Jan 6 (NationPress) The Karnataka government announced on Monday that the two instances of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) found in two infants -- aged three and eight months -- in Bengaluru, are not the inaugural cases recorded in India.
“We cannot label this as the first occurrence in the country. The virus has been present here. The individuals may have undergone testing for this specific virus, and it has been confirmed, that’s all,” stated Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, while addressing the media before an urgent meeting on the issue.
“It has not been established that the cases identified in Bengaluru are the first in India. That assertion is not accurate. This is a virus that exists, and a percentage of the population is affected by it. It is not something unprecedented,” Rao elaborated.
The minister pointed out that the infants who contracted the virus have no travel history and belong to a local family.
“They have not visited China, Malaysia, or any other country. The outbreak in China is linked to a new variant of HMPV. We do not have complete details yet, and the government is actively collecting information. They may also be in the process of obtaining additional insights,” Rao remarked.
“That could indicate a new strain of HMPV. However, HMPV is a virus that has been in India for a considerable duration. It brings about common symptoms like cold, flu, and cough, which typically resolve over time. I do not believe we should categorize this as the first instance,” he continued.
He urged the public “not to incite unnecessary alarm. This is a virus that has been around and returns periodically” while emphasizing that “the situation in China is distinct, and it is being monitored closely.”
The Minister announced an emergency meeting convened to gather new information and determine the subsequent course of action.
“Decisions cannot be rushed. PCR testing has consistently been available, but we need to evaluate its necessity. We must ascertain whether this constitutes a serious public health issue. Just because one case has emerged, we cannot enter panic mode. If we test everyone exhibiting cold symptoms, it is likely that some virus or another will be detected,” Rao clarified.
“I do not advocate for unnecessary testing. We need to gain a better understanding of the new strain in China. Whether it exists here or not remains uncertain. I do not wish to assign blame. It is prudent to be cautious and adhere to guidelines,” the minister concluded.
Additionally, a virtual meeting was held with the heads of all District medical colleges on Monday morning to deliberate on precautionary measures and other effective strategies to manage the situation.
