Covid precautions have been reinstated in a part of India amid rising alarm over the so-called “mystery illness”: HMPV, which exhibits symptoms similar to those of COVID-19.
The Chinese government is in the midst of managing a surge in cases, while authorities in the Indian state of Karnataka are taking precautionary measures.
The local government has issued guidance encouraging individuals to shun public settings if experiencing symptoms related to Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and has recommended mask-wearing in crowded locales after identifying three cases of the respiratory ailment.
In recent developments, three children have contracted the disease: an eight-month-old boy and a three-month-old girl diagnosed in Bengaluru, and a two-month-old patient from Rajasthan currently receiving treatment in Ahmedabad.
Despite the reimplementation of Covid-related mandates, Indian officials have appealed for calm, pointing out that HMPV is an established virus, with cases already reported both domestically and around the world. In fact, media sources indicate that a six-month-old in Kolkata had the illness as early as November.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda has weighed in on the situation, insisting that there’s no cause for widespread concern regarding the trio of HMPV incidents, clarifying:
“HMPV spreads through air, by way of respiration. This can affect persons of all age groups. The virus spreads more during the winter and the early spring months.”
He further noted that the government is closely monitoring the outbreak in China. The country has been hit by a wave of HMPV, causing symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, which has raised alarm worldwide.
