HMPV outbreak: Two children test positive for virus in Chennai

Two children have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus HMPV in Chennai and are currently receiving treatment a health official confirmed on MondayThese are the first cases to be reported from the city with the children being treated in two different hospitals news agency PTI reported Further details are awaitedMeanwhile officials from the state health department convened a meeting to discuss measures for screening HMPV and the precautions required to prevent its spread PTI reportedHMPV Outbreak Delhi Minister orders health department to make necessary arrangementsFollowing the detection of two Human Metapneumovirus HMPV cases in Karnataka Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on Monday instructed the Health and Family Welfare Department to make all necessary arrangements in the national capital news agency ANI reportedIn his directive Bhardwaj emphasised that all hospitals should be fully prepared to manage any potential increase in respiratory illnesses in line with guidance from the Union Health MinistryldquoThe Health and FW Department should contact the Union Health Ministry to receive timely updates regarding preparedness in the capital There is no need for delay any directives required should be brought to me immediately It is crucial that the hospitals of the Government of NCT of Delhi are wellequipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses as advised by the Union Health Ministryrdquo the Minister statedBhardwaj also directed the Delhi Health Secretary to inspect three hospitals daily and submit detailed reports ANI reportedldquoThe Health Secretary will report on the Essential Drug List EDL the availability of medicines and ICU beds the condition of equipment and the status of PSA Pressure Swing Adsorption plantsrdquo he saidHMPV is a globally recognised respiratory virus that recently gained attention after an outbreak was reported in China It is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in individuals across all age groupsAlthough the governments of Karnataka Gujarat and Maharashtra have assured the public that there is no cause for alarm the Delhi government has directed all hospitals in the capital to remain fully prepared for any potential surge in respiratory illnessesTwo of the three cases in Karnataka were identified by the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR through routine surveillance for various respiratory viral pathogensA threemonthold female infant with a history of bronchopneumonia was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru The infant has since been discharged according to the health ministryAn eightmonthold male infant with a history of bronchopneumonia tested positive for HMPV on 3 January after being admitted to Baptist Hospital He is now recovering the ministry addedWith PTI and ANI inputs