Two children detected with HMPV in Nagpur, total cases in India increases to 7

Two children, aged seven and 14, tested positive for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Nagpur, increasing the total number of cases of the respiratory illness to seven.

On January 3, the children were taken to a private hospital in the city’s Ramdaspeth area for fever and cough treatment. After tests were conducted, hospital authorities confirmed that the two were infected with HMPV, an illness similar to Covid-19 that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat.

The Maharashtra health department is on alert mode over a possible surge in the number of cases. People suffering from cough, fever or any of the Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) have been asked to take extra precautions.

The department has urged people of the state to remain calm and not panic. It will soon issue guidelines regarding preventions and measures against the virus.