Bhubaneswar: Amid detection of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in different States, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling today said the State is fully prepared to deal with any unforeseen situation, if it arises.
Speaking to media persons after holding a high-level meeting here, Shri Mahaling said a small number of HMPV cases have been detected in some parts of the country so far. However, no case has been detected in the State so far. So, there is no need to panic, he said.
“I held discussions with authorities of major medical colleges and hospitals across the state through video conferencing and directed them to remain on alert. We have remained prepared and all ready to deal with any unforeseen situation, if it arises,” he said.
The premier national healthcare institutions like AIIMS, Regional Medical research Centre (RMRC), a unit of ICMR and Institution of Life Sciences (ILS) remain prepared, Mahaling said.
As the state is going to host the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention here from January 8 to 10, all hospitals of Bhubaneswar & Cuttack including private ones, were directed to remain in readiness to provide necessary healthcare services to the international guests, if needed, he informed.
The Health Minister advised people, who have cough, cold, and fever-like symptoms, to undergo testing and primary treatment at healthcare facilities.
The government of India has not issued any advisory yet. However, the state will follow all guidelines and SOPs to be issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, he added.
State Public Health Director Nilakantha Mishra said HMPV cases were first detected in 2001 in the Netherlands and several cases were detected in different parts of India in the past also. As the awareness among people has increased, it is being reported by the media, he said.
“The detected patients don’t have any foreign travel history. It means the virus was there in our country and it is indigenous,” Dr.Mishra said, adding, there is no report of detection of HMPV from any foreign traveled person till now.