Though multiplex PCR test on two kids aged 7 and 13 years of Nagpur came positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) would conduct singleplex PCR for endorsing its positive status. Throat swab samples of both the kids have been sent to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur. AIIMS will send these samples to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune if their CT score comes below 25. Both the children had approached a private hospital with the complaints of fever, cold and cough. The doctor treated them at OPD, conducted RTPCR test that came positive. Accordingly, they were given medicines and sent home. Divisional Commissioner Vijayalaxmi Bidari and District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar made it clear that there is no need to panic about this incident.

 

Dr Vipin Itankar told mediapersons that these two children came to a private hospital with the symptoms of cough, cold, fever and at OPD. “They are suspected HMPV cases. They were treated and sent home. I can say with full responsibility that they are not confirmed cases of HMPV. We have sent their samples to AIIMS which will send those to NIV, Pune for their genome sequencing. Nobody should panic about this incident,” Collector Dr Itankar appealed. Dr Itankar warned of strict action if anything related to HMPV, without confirmation, is shared on social media. According to a well-known Microbiologist, the children came positive for HMPV because multiplex PCR was conducted where several viruses are detected. After the results came positive in this particular test, it was informed to Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) that instructed AIIMS to send the samples to NIV for genome sequencing. Metapneumovirus was in circulation in 2001 also. But in 2019, coronavirus had a new mutation and the rest is history. Now, AIIMS will conduct singleplex PCR on these children and then conclusion can be drawn.

 

AIIMS Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr Prashant Joshi said, “The virus is not a novel one. It has been known since 1958. It has not been identified whether it is the new one or not. Secondly, as per the instructions from ICMR, these samples would be sent to Pune if the CT value of these children is below 25. Till now we haven’t received the CT score of these children.” “This virus is already prevalent. It was detected in China so we are alert. There is no need to be alarmed. This virus is not like coronavirus. Post-coronavirus pandemic, we have developed herd immunity which can protect us. But we should take precautions.

 

I have convened the meeting at AIIMS to decide future course of action. We will have testing kits in a day or too. They are costly but for the sake of the safety, we have decided to procure those,” Dr Joshi said with concern. Meanwhile Maharashtra Government has set up Task Force following these two cases in Nagpur. According to the state Public Health Department sources, after two days of continuous fever, these girls undertook tests in a private lab and tested positive. They were treated at home and their condition was stable. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis instructed Health Minister Prakash Abitkar and Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif to address public concerns and anxieties about the virus. Task Force, headed by the JJ Hospital Dean Dr Pallavi Saple, will craft standard operating procedure (SOP) and decide on future course of action. Maharashtra Government has called an urgent meeting of the department regarding the HMPV virus.

 

It is reported that Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav will also be present in this meeting. The minister has urged the people not to panic. The medical education commissioner, Rajiv Nivatkar, held a virtual meeting with the Deans of government medical colleges to review their preparedness to tackle HMPV patients and briefed them about the measures to be taken. The State Health Department has issued an advisory asking the district administration to keep a close vigil while stepping up surveillance of patients with cold and cough.