‘No need to worry but…’, Kerala government said on the threat of hMPV virus spreading in China

Kerala Health Minister On hMPV Virus: The Kerala government on Saturday (January 04, 2025) said that reports of large-scale cases of viral fever and respiratory infection in China are being closely monitored and there is no need to panic at present.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said in a post on Facebook that no such report has been received so far about any virus that has emerged in China, in which it has been said that it could take the form of an epidemic or spread rapidly to other areas. Have you gone?

‘There is a need not to panic but to be more careful’

He said that Malayalees are from all parts of the world and migrants from other countries including China often come to the state, hence extra precautions should be taken. George said, “We are monitoring the situation in China. If an outbreak is detected that is at risk of spreading to other areas, we can stop its spread very quickly.

The minister urged people, especially pregnant women, children and the elderly, to be extra cautious and requested them to wear masks.

Telangana government is also keeping an eye on the situation

Meanwhile, Telangana Public Health Director B Ravinder Nayak said in a statement that no case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been reported so far in the state. The health department analyzed data on prevalent respiratory infections in the state and found that there was no significant increase in December 2024 compared to the same month a year ago.

Telangana Public Health Department has urged citizens to follow some do’s and don’ts. Also said that there is no cause for concern regarding the HMPV report and the department is coordinating with the Health Ministry at the Centre.

Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Atul Goyal said that human metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus, which causes common cold and can cause flu-like symptoms in the young and very old.

Also read: ‘India is fully prepared’, government speaks on the havoc of increasing hMPV in China, guidelines issued