People were told to avoid handshakes and use sanitiser
HYDERABAD, JANUARY 04, 2025: Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Telangana, Dr B Ravinder Naik has said that there is no cause for alarm regarding Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) reports from China and the state health department is monitoring the situation closely in coordination with Director NCDC and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.
In the wake of media reports about the outbreak of the hMPV virus in China, the Union government has clarified that hMPV is like any other respiratory virus which causes a common cold and flu-like symptoms during the winter season, especially among the younger and older age groups.
So far, no case of hMPV is reported in Telangana, the official stated and added that the health department has analysed the data of prevailing respiratory infections in the state. There is no substantial increase in December 2024 compared to 2023, the note stated.
The medical advisory says that people should cover their mouth and nose with a kerchief or tissue paper when they cough or sneeze, wash their hands often with soap or sanitiser, avoid crowded places and stay more than an arm’s distance from the person affected with flu. People were informed to stay away from public places if they have fever, cough and sneezing and they were advised to stay at home and limit contact with others.
The people were also advised to avoid shaking hands, reuse of tissue and kerchief, close contact with sick people, frequent touching of eyes, nose and mouth and spitting in public places. The government informed the people to take medication only after consulting the physician and avoid self-medication.
