HMPV Outbreak: 'No Infections Reported In Mumbai,' Says BMC

Amid rising tensions over Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in India, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday clarified that no HMPV case has been reported in Mumbai. The civic body however urged the citizens to take precautions and issued guidelines on Do’s and Don’ts.

The media has published news regarding the ongoing outbreak of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus in China. The Directorate of Health Services, Pune, has issued guidelines in this regard on January 3, 2025. "The public health department of the BMC clarifies that there is no patient of HMPV in Mumbai, however, the citizens are urged to follow the health guidelines,” the BMC statement said.

The health department has appealed to citizens to: 1. Cover their mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue paper when they cough or sneeze. 2. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or by alcohol-based sanitizer. 3. Stay away from public places if you have fever, cough and sneeze. 4. Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food. 5. Ensure that there is adequate ventilation in all places to reduce transmission.

The health department has appealed citizens to not: 1. Shake hands and not reuse tissue paper and handkerchiefs. 2. Close contact with sick people. 3. Touching your eyes, nose and mouth frequently. Spitting in public places. 4. Taking medicine (self-medication) without consulting a doctor.

“It is a seasonal disease that usually occurs in winter and early summer, like RSV and flu. The virus was first detected in the Netherlands in the year 2001. There is no cause for concern regarding the report of Human Metapneumovirus virus detected in China,” the statement released by BMC said.