Amid rising concern around Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao assured the people that the state is ready to handle the situation and said there is no need to panic.
Superintendent of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dhruv Jyoti Bhuiyan confirmed the infection, stating that a test was conducted on the child, which returned positive results.
"HMPV virus was found in 2001 and is still found today. It is one of the many viruses that are found in the respiratory system. An advisory has been issued by the Gujarat government."
While addressing concerns, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhaniram Shandil stated that there is no imminent threat from the virus and assured the public that it is a common respiratory virus primarily affecting young children and the elderly.
"We will only be able to tell about the diagnoses of the patient after the results for the sample come back from King George's Medical University," he added.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) shared the trends of acute respiratory infection, including human metapneumovirus (HMP virus) in the Northern Hemisphere and noted that the rate of increase of virus infections follows the usual trends.
Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said, "We have mentioned this earlier too that this variant is not strong. We have dealt with problematic viruses like corona. Our health department is working efficiently in this matter. No one has to worry..."
"There has indeed been a rise in a number of common respiratory infections in the country. And this is entirely expected during the winter. China has a sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness and severe respiratory infections," she said.
Amid recent cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), Dr Meenu Singh, Director of AIIMS Rishikesh on Wednesday reassured the public that the virus, which primarily affects children under five, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, is "not a new threat."
In a video statement, Singh said that no cases have been reported in Punjab yet, and the state is closely following the guidelines issued by the Government of India.
Although no official guidelines have been issued by the Central Government yet, he assured that the state would prioritise immediate action upon receiving directives. "Being a doctor and the health minister, I have instructed the department to treat this matter with utmost seriousness."