GANGTOK, : Chief secretary R Telang on Thursday held a meeting with the Health officials to access the present threat and to review the preparedness of Sikkim regarding Human Metapneumovirsus (HMPV).
The meeting was held in light of recent news reports regarding an upsurge in cases of severe acute respiratory illness in China, attributed to the HMPV.
An official press release shares that HMPV primarily causes mild respiratory illnesses, though severe cases can occur in vulnerable groups such as immunocompromised individuals. It was first identified in 2001 in Netherlands and has since been documented in almost all parts of the world.
“The Health and Family Welfare department continues to closely monitor the situation and robust surveillance systems are in place. There is no cause for alarm, as the available data suggests the virus is not causing any unusual trends or severe outbreaks in India.
The public is advised to adhere to preventive measures, and consult the nearest healthcare professionals if experiencing any such symptoms,” said the Health department in its advisory to the public.
HMPV spreads through close contact with infected individuals via coughing, sneezing or handshakes and from contaminated surfaces.
Common symptoms include cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, and shortness of breath.
Preventive measures include frequent hand washing, regular cleaning of contaminated surfaces, and avoiding close contact with individuals showing symptoms of respiratory illness.