Alert issued for HMPV in Jamshedpur; Civil Surgeon advises testing for symptomatic patients

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Jan 9: In response to the detection of Human Meta Pneumo Virus (HMPV) in the country, the state has been placed on high alert. On Tuesday, Principal Secretary of the Health Department, Ajay Kumar Singh, convened a meeting with civil surgeons and health officials, issuing crucial guidelines. Acting on these instructions, Civil Surgeon Dr. Sahir Pal chaired a meeting at the District Surveillance Department office. Employees and department officials were present in the meeting.

Dr. Pal also dispatched directives to the Superintendent of MGM Hospital, Deputy Superintendent of Sadar Hospital, Sub-Divisional Hospital heads, medical officers of CHCs and PHCs, Urban Primary and Community Health Centres, and private hospital managers to implement preventive measures.

Guidelines for prevention and preparedness

Dr. Pal emphasized that HMPV was not a new virus and urged the public not to panic. To curb its spread, he recommended avoiding crowded places and using masks. Hospitals have been instructed to ensure adequate beds, oxygen supply, and medicines.

Patients exhibiting HMPV symptoms and admitted to hospitals will undergo testing. The tests will be conducted at MGM Medical College, with kits being made available. Hospital authorities were required to inform the District Surveillance Department about any suspected cases.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Asad, Sushil Kumar Tiwari, Deepak Kumar from the District Surveillance Department, and WHO officials.