In the advisory, the Maharashtra government urged people to cover their mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
Mumbai: The Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government issued a health advisory for the people of the state. This comes after two cases of HMPV were reported in Bengaluru, Tamil Nadu, and another case in Ahmedabad. Chief Minister Fadnavis has urged citizens to remain calm following the detection of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in some neighbouring states.
He assured that the state government will soon release a detailed advisory on the matter. Speaking to reporters in Kolhapur, he said, “Citizens must not panic. The state health department will soon issue a comprehensive advisory on the situation. It is not a new virus. It is coming again. We will reissue an advisory regarding the virus.”
The situation is being monitored closely, and the Union health ministry and state health officials are in touch to assess it, he added. The Union health ministry has emphasised that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with it have been reported in various countries Maharashtra health minister Prakash Abitkar said there was no need to panic, adding that instructions to implement necessary measures have been issued to all health services in the state.
“A meeting on the issue will be convened in a couple of days. People just need to follow guidelines and instructions issued by the health department. The Union health ministry is also keeping watch,” he said in Pune.
HMPV cases: Maharashtra issues advisory
- The Maharashtra health department issued a precautionary advisory
- In the advisory, the Maharashtra government urged people to cover their mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
- The state government asked people to wash hands frequently with soap, and avoid public places if symptomatic.
- Maharashtra health department officials assured that there is no cause for concern regarding HMPV reports from China.
- The Maharashtra government said the HMPV situation is being closely monitored in coordination with National Centre for Disease Control and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
On Monday, the Indian Council of Medical Research detected two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.
