PNS | DEHRADUN
In sync with the directives issued by the State Health department, the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) has geared up to address and control spread of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). The health department came into an alert mode after a few positive cases of the same virus were reported from some parts of the country. But the State is yet to report a single positive case.
However, leaving nothing to chance with positive cases emerging elsewhere, the State Health department has advised the government hospitals and medical colleges to heighten their preparedness for the prevention of HMPV cases.
Informing this, the medical superintendent of the GDMC, Dr Anurag Aggarwal said that following the directives of the Health department, the GDMC administration has taken proactive measures to prevent HMPV cases. “The hospital has made available thousands of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits. Additionally, there is a full stock of medicines meant to combat the virus at this facility. Besides, a total of 27 isolation beds have been kept aside at the hospital specifically for HMPV cases with eight beds allocated for the paediatric ward and 19 for the adult wards,” he said.
Aggarwal further highlighted that ventilators have been installed in the isolation ward, including four dedicated to the paediatric ward and four to the adult ward. Also, the physicians have been instructed to conduct tests for admitted patients and those visiting the OPD which is highly susceptible to the viral infection.
Asked to state the typical symptoms associated with the HMPV virus, he said that these include cough, cold and fever. “In the light of this, individuals are advised to refrain from visiting crowded locations. If out either at the cinema or hospital, they should not forget to wear a face mask. Further, they should get back to the Covid-time practice of regular hand-washing and maintaining a safe distance from others,” he said.
“But the people should not be panicky. This virus is simply a type of non-influenza and can resolve within three to five days,” he added.
