HMPV in India: Delhi govt directs hospitals to stay prepared

The Delhi government has directed all hospitals in the city to remain fully equipped to manage a potential rise in respiratory illnesses, following the detection of two Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in Karnataka.

In an urgent directive, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj instructed the health and family welfare department to monitor the situation closely and maintain constant communication with the Union health ministry for timely updates.

“The Delhi government hospitals must be adequately prepared to handle any possible surge in respiratory diseases, as per guidance from the Union health ministry,” the directive from Bharadwaj stated.

The health secretary has been assigned the task of inspecting three government hospitals daily, starting with the largest ones. Detailed reports are to be submitted, covering key aspects such as the availability of medicines from the essential drug list, ICU bed occupancy, and the operational status of PSA oxygen plants and radiological equipment.

Hospitals are also required to ensure data entry operators are available at both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) counters and to follow standard operating procedures for managing acute respiratory illnesses.

These instructions followed the Union health ministry’s confirmation that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had detected two HMPV cases in Karnataka through routine surveillance of multiple respiratory viral pathogens.

The first case involved a three-month-old female infant, who had a history of bronchopneumonia and was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She has since been discharged.

Also Read: Two HMPV cases detected in India, confirms health ministry

The second case involved an eight-month-old male infant, also with a history of bronchopneumonia, who tested positive for HMPV on January 3 at Baptist Hospital. He is currently recovering, the ministry reported.

“It is crucial to monitor respiratory illness trends in the capital and respond swiftly to any emerging issues. Any urgent matters should be reported directly via phone,” Bharadwaj emphasized in the directive.

The minister’s office also highlighted that HMPV is circulating globally, including in India, with respiratory illnesses linked to the virus being reported from various countries.

(With inputs from PTI)