A three-year-old child, who had been receiving treatment for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) at a private hospital, was discharged on Saturday after making a full recovery.
V. Ravichandran, the Director of Health for Puducherry, confirmed to PTI that this marks the first reported case of HMPV in the region. He mentioned that the child’s parents were provided with essential guidance on home care and precautionary measures to follow post-discharge.
Ravichandran further indicated that the centrally administered Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) is conducting tests for all suspected HMPV cases in accordance with established protocols, having the necessary testing kits available.
The government of Puducherry is also planning to enhance testing capabilities at the state-run Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute in Kadirkamam.
He emphasized that the local government is closely monitoring the situation and has implemented appropriate precautionary measures. In a statement from the Health Department, it reassured the public that there is no cause for alarm, as comprehensive safety protocols are already in place.
Additionally, a dedicated 10-bed ward with an intensive care unit (ICU) has been set up at the Government Hospital for Chest Diseases in Gorimedu to accommodate adult and elderly patients. For pediatric cases, a six-bed ward with ICU facilities has been established at the state-run Rajiv Gandhi Women and Children’s Hospital. The Health Department is also actively distributing health awareness information to the community regarding the virus.
