Guwahati: Assam has reported another case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Guwahati, where a 75-year-old woman is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
The patient, currently admitted to the hospital’s Medicine Unit 2, is recovering well.
Her 80-year-old husband, who is showing similar symptoms, is on intermittent oxygen support and is awaiting test results to confirm the infection.
Earlier, a 10-month-old infant from Lakhimpur was diagnosed with HMPV and successfully treated at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh.
Addressing public concerns, Dr Abhijit Sarma, Superintendent of Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), mentioned that HMPV has been present in India since 2001, though cases have been limited. He explained that the virus primarily affects children below five years of age, causing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and respiratory infections.
Dr Sarma assured that there is no immediate cause for alarm. He advised people to take precautions such as wearing masks, avoiding large gatherings, and seeking medical attention for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. He also clarified that while precautions similar to COVID-19 are recommended, HMPV is generally less severe.