Isolation ICU for HMPV patients at AIIMS-Bilaspur
A respiratory isolation ICU has been set up in the Ayush Block of AIIMS-Bilaspur with all facilities for patients requiring ventilation following possible risk of the HMPV. The AIIMS administration has also initiated the order of kits for diagnosis of the HMPV through PCR tests. Associate Prof Dr Tarun Sharma said the kits would be procured shortly and tests would be done by the Department of Microbiology. He urged people to remain calm as the virus is not as transmissible as Covid.
Providing details on the HMPV, Dr Sharma said it affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts of an individual, especially young children, elderly and people with weakened immune systems. He said the virus was discovered in 2001, but it remained underdiagnosed.
He said people with symptoms like cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath and in severe cases, like bronchitis or pneumonia, must visit health facilities at the earliest for treatment. He said the incubation period for the HMPV is between three and six days.
He said that the HMPV transmits through respiratory droplets produced during coughing or sneezing, close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands with an infected individual and contact with contaminated surfaces or objects followed by touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
He said sanitising minimises the risk of the infection. “AIIMS is fully equipped to handle the HMPV patients and people need not to fear,” he said.
