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.
