Close X
Thursday, January 16, 2025
ADVT 
India

India prepared to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges: J.P. Nadda on HMPV

Darpan News Desk IANS, 06 Jan, 2025 06:25 PM
  • India prepared to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges: J.P. Nadda on HMPV

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) India’s surveillance network remains vigilant and the country is ready to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said on Monday, as the number of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in the country reached five in a single day.

Five children tested positive for the virus in Karnataka (2), Gujarat (1), and Tamil Nadu (2). The affected children are recovering well, while one has been discharged, the health authorities said.

In a video message, Nadda said that the HMPV virus is not a new virus.

“It was first identified in 2001 and has been circulating in the entire world since many years, It spreads through the air by the way of respiration. This can affect persons of all age groups. The virus spreads more during the winter and the early spring months,” said the Union Minister.

The Health Ministry, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), and the National Centre for Disease Control are keeping a close watch on the situation in China, as well as in neighbouring countries, Nadda assured.

"The WHO has taken cognisance of the situation and will share its report shortly with us. The country data for respiratory viruses available with ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has also been reviewed," he said, adding that the country is ready to respond promptly to any health challenges.

"There is no reason to worry. We are closely monitoring the situation," he added.

According to former ICMR scientist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, HMPV is definitely not deadly, and there is, to date, no evidence of mortality or a severe transmission rate.

“We can say HMPV is definitely not deadly. Most infections are mild, and only in children who are less than five and those who are over 65. It can cause common cold-like symptoms for 4 to 5 days,” Gangakhedkar told IANS.

“The virus may cause pneumonitis-like illness, but the mortality rates are almost unknown so far. HMPV has a global prevalence of about 4 per cent,” he added.

 

MORE India ARTICLES

Don't travel to Iran or Israel till further notice: MEA

Don't travel to Iran or Israel till further notice: MEA
India on Friday issued a travel advisory for its citizens, advising them not to travel to Iran and Israel "till further notice" due to the escalating tension in the region. "In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice," the travel advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.  

Don't travel to Iran or Israel till further notice: MEA

AAP, Congress have unholy alliance: Akali Dal

AAP, Congress have unholy alliance: Akali Dal
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Parambans Romana on Friday asked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to explain the underhand deal he had arrived at with Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira by agreeing not to prosecute him, even as he asserted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Congress and the BJP were making unholy alliances to put up joint candidates against the Akali Dal.

AAP, Congress have unholy alliance: Akali Dal

Woman drugged by maid, robbed of Rs 20 lakh cash and jewellery in Delhi

Woman drugged by maid, robbed of Rs 20 lakh cash and jewellery in Delhi
According to the FIR, accessed by IANS, Bhawna Gupta, 52, residing on the second floor of a house in Kamla Nagar, in her complaint stated that on April 9, after her husband left for his office and both her daughters also left, she asked the maid, Kajal, to prepare food around 2 p.m.

Woman drugged by maid, robbed of Rs 20 lakh cash and jewellery in Delhi

5 women held for targeting Metro passengers in Delhi

5 women held for targeting Metro passengers in Delhi
Delhi Police on Friday claimed to have busted a gang of thieves, who used to target passengers travelling in the metro and arrested five women, an official said. The accused, all residents of Anand Parbhat, used to carry infants in lap to divert attention or to pick up quarrels from fellow passengers on the pretext of raising false allegations.

5 women held for targeting Metro passengers in Delhi

PM Modi holds roadshow in Dausa in Rajasthan

PM Modi holds roadshow in Dausa in Rajasthan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a roadshow in Rajasthan's Dausa in support of the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate, Kanhaiyalal Meena. A huge crowd was seen on both sides of the road during PM Modi's roadshow. People who had gathered to catch a glimpse of PM Modi sprinkled flower petals as his convoy passed.  

PM Modi holds roadshow in Dausa in Rajasthan

Bengaluru cafe blast: NIA gets 3-day transit remand of suspects arrested in West Bengal

Bengaluru cafe blast: NIA gets 3-day transit remand of suspects arrested in West Bengal
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday got a three-day transit remand of the two individuals arrested earlier in the day on the outskirts of Kolkata in connection with the March 1 blast at a cafe in Bengaluru. The arrested individuals -- Abdul Mateen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazeb -- were on the run since the low-intensity explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru.  

Bengaluru cafe blast: NIA gets 3-day transit remand of suspects arrested in West Bengal