The second case of HMPV in Ahmedabad and the third in Gujarat has been reported. An 80-year-old man from Vastrapur in Ahmedabad has been found infected with HMPV. The elderly patient is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital and his condition is said to be stable.
The patient was admitted to Sterling Hospital in Ahmedabad on January 8 due to breathing problems and tested positive for HMPV. The hospital confirmed that the patient has no travel history.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation was informed after the HMPV report came positive. Samples were also sent to BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad and Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagar for testing.
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Two More HMPV Cases in Gujarat
Earlier, HMPV was confirmed in a 2-month-old infant in Ahmedabad. The child was treated at a private hospital in Chandkheda and has now fully recovered.
Apart from this, HMPV has also been confirmed in a 7-year-old child in Prantij of Sabarkantha district and his condition is said to be stable.
First Case of HMPV Was Confirmed in 2001
According to the health ministry, HMPV is not a new virus. It was first identified in 2001 and has been spreading around the world for years. Experts have said that HMPV is very unlikely to require hospitalisation, making it less of a concern.
India’s First HMPV Case Was Confirmed in 2003
The first confirmed case of HMPV in India was reported in 2003. B.J. Medical College and NIV Pune were the first to confirm HMPV in Indian children in Pune.
Subsequent studies have also reported cases of this virus. In 2024, 4% of 100 children suffering from respiratory disease in Gorakhpur were found to have symptoms of HMPV.
How Does HMPV Spread?
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that infects the human lungs and respiratory tract. It typically causes conditions similar to the common cold or flu. Individuals with pre-existing illnesses or allergies are more susceptible to this virus.
HMPV is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. It can enter the body by touching objects contaminated by an infected person or by coming into direct contact with a sick person.
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