Chhattisgarh reports its first case of HMPV in three-year-old child

RAIPUR: Health officials in Korba and Bilaspur districts of Chhattisgarh are on high alert after a three-year-old child tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
This is the first reported case of the virus in the state. The child, from Korba district, is currently hospitalised in a private hospital in Bilaspur.
Bilaspur’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Pramod Tiwari told TOI that the child was admitted to the hospital on December 27 after a sample sent to AIIMS Raipur confirmed the HMPV diagnosis.While the child's condition initially deteriorated on December 29, he is now reportedly stable and in isolation. "We prepared to refer the child to AIIMS Raipur if his condition didn't improve," Dr Tiwari said, "but for now, that's not immediately necessary."
The child presented with cold, cough, and fever, prompting the initial suspicion of HMPV. His sample was sent to AIIMS Raipur for testing, which confirmed the infection. He is currently being treated in isolation in the ICU of Apollo Hospital in Bilaspur under expert supervision.
Following the confirmation, alerts have been issued in both Bilaspur and Korba districts. Health officials are conducting a survey of individuals presenting with cold, cough, and fever, particularly in the child's home area in Korba. "We've instructed the Korba health department to monitor those who came into contact with the child," Dr Tiwari explained. "Our health workers are also conducting swab tests on people with cold and cough symptoms in Bilaspur district."
Three other children in the affected child's family are also under observation, though they have not yet shown any symptoms of the infection. Dr Tiwari confirmed that the child's parents are also under observation and in isolation at the hospital. The CMHO of Korba district is also conducting a separate survey of individuals with similar symptoms in the area.
Dr SK Pambhoi, Director of Epidemic Control, Chhattisgarh, told TOI that the three-year-old child's case is the first in the state. “We asked the CMHOs of Bilaspur and Korba to keep the child's family members under surveillance. We issued a guideline cautioning all district authorities about HMPV precautions a month and a half ago,” Dr Pambhoi said.