Bhubaneswar, January 13 – The Odisha Health Department will meet on January 15 to discuss Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) concerns and prepare strategies for managing the potential health risks. The state’s response will depend on guidelines from the Centre and advice from experts at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
HMPV is a respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to the common cold, including fever, cough, and nasal congestion. In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia or bronchitis, particularly in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. There is no specific treatment for HMPV, and it is managed similarly to pneumonia.
Bijay Mohapatra, Special Secretary of the Health Department, assured that hospitals in the state are well-equipped with necessary medicines and oxygen supplies from the COVID-19 pandemic. Active surveillance is underway, and districts have been urged to stay vigilant. The government is awaiting further guidance from the Centre to take appropriate action.
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