Lucknow: A 60-year-old woman from the Cantt area in Lucknow tested positive for HMPV on Thursday. She was initially admitted to a private hospital and later transferred to a government facility at 11 pm on Wednesday. The sample was tested by a private lab, which confirmed a positive result. Her sample has since been sent to King George’s Medical University for further confirmation.
Sources said that the patient is currently stable and is being kept in the isolation ward at Balrampur Hospital. As HMPV emerges in the country, the health department has heightened its vigilance. Medical professionals assure that there is no need for alarm.
Experts recommend precaution
The virus typically circulates during the winter months and can lead to symptoms like a cold, mild fever, cough, and chest tightness. To minimise the risk of infection, experts advise staying hydrated, wearing masks in crowded places and maintain distance from individuals with flu-like symptoms.
In response to the growing number of respiratory illnesses, particularly those caused by HMPV, many state governments have ramped up surveillance efforts. The recent reports of an HMPV outbreak in China have raised additional concerns about a potential health crisis. On Thursday, an 80-year-old man in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, tested positive for the virus.
JP Nadda reassures public
Health Minister JP Nadda said that HMPV is not a new virus and reassured the public not to panic. He urged people to take necessary precautions to avoid viral infections, which are becoming more prevalent during the winter months. HMPV is part of the Pneumoviridae virus family and has been circulating in the environment for over six decades. It was first identified in India in 2001, but the virus was originally found in children in the Netherlands.
