HMPV outbreak: Has India panicked more than China?

The outbreak of HMPV Human Metapneumovirus in China might have created more panic in the rest of the world than in China itselfrdquo says a Mumbai businessman settled in Yiwu in Chinarsquos Zhejiang province home to some 800 Indians for the last 23 years HMPV is a virus that causes upper respiratory infectionsSpeaking to midday from Yiwu he says ldquoChina has not declared any state of emergency nor are schools his 9yearold son is in an international school in Std 3 shopping malls or markets closedrdquoTanmay Gokani 41 with wife Bosky 36 and their son in ChinaWith the monthlong Chinese New Year holidays starting January 15 to February 15 many Indians settled in China are keen to return to India on vacation but are waiting for Chinese government alerts if any which were not issued until Sunday January 5Mumbai to YiwuTanmay Gokani 41 moved from South Mumbai Walkeshwar in his early 20s and started an exports business Today he is amongst the 800 Indians settled in Yiwu He stays with his wife Bosky 36 who works with a law firm in Shanghai and their schoolgoing son ShaaravMarkets shopping malls and schools functioning normally in Chinarsquos Yiwu amid concerns of an outbreak PicsTanmay GokaniDip in temperatureldquoWinter has set in and the temperature in Yiwu is 1 degrees Celsius whereas in the northern part of China the temperature dips further and it is but obvious that in such weather people are bound to have cold cough and seasonal flu symptoms but for the first time we have come across any outbreak of HMPV through foreign media reports including India Though Chinese media have been mentioning HMPV there are no official statements from the Chinese health authoritiesrdquo said GokaniNo health emergency in YiwuldquoWe have no state of emergency declared by the local Chinese health authorities Life is normal and every business establishment shopping mall night market and even school is functioning without any health alertrdquo Gokani saidldquoSchools in China are the first to raise a red flag in case of any health alert and so far none of the schools in Yiwu or elsewhere have made any such announcementrdquo he added The Gokani family lives in a tower in Yiwu and says that there has been not a single case of HMPV reported in their vicinityFrantic phone callsThe HMPV reports have brought back COVID19 flashbacks in the minds of Indians settled in Yiwu and have left their relatives in India in a panic modeldquoI have been getting over 20 phone calls from my relatives in Mumbai and Gujarat and my business clients inquiring about the outbreak of HMPVrdquo said GokaniAwaiting health advisoryTanmay and his family had already planned their yearly vacation to India but this year they want to put it on hold in case the Chinese health authorities issue any advisory on HMPV ldquoWe have already made a vacation plan to India But in case of any advisory I donrsquot want to take the chance of travelling I will have to be dependent on others which I want to avoidrdquo said GokaniNo HMPV in IndiaHealth experts in India have said that although no cases of HMPV have as yet been reported the country needs to be careful Experts suggest wearing a mask and advise that the authorities must screen all passengers at the airport arriving from ChinaDr Subhash Hira professor of global health at the University of Washington and former advisor of WHOTDR Geneva who continues to be on the pandemic preparedness committee said ldquoPreventing a respiratory pandemic involves a combination of public health measures individual actions and community engagementrdquoHe says things that can help prevent the spread of respiratory infections including surveillance and early detection using PCR and viral culture tests public health communication hygiene practices social distancing and improving indoor air quality travel restrictions and monitoring emergency preparedness mental health support vaccination among othersWhat is HMPVHuman Metapneumovirus HMPV was discovered in 2001 and belongs to the pneumovirinae family It is spread through droplets and direct contact Those vulnerable to infection include people with low immunity the elderly and children Symptoms of HMPV so far have not been severe and generally cause mild illness and seasonal flu symptomsmdashfever cold and cough runny nose etcmdashand take three to six days of incubation period There is as yet no specific vaccine or medication for HMPV and treatment is mainly symptomaticDr Subhash Hira professor of global health at University of WashingtonUSA and former advisor of WHOTDR Geneva who continues to be on the pandemic preparedness committee said ldquoPreventing a respiratory pandemic involves a combination of public health measures individual actions and community engagementrdquoHe lists out some key steps that can be taken to help prevent the spread of respiratory infections1 Surveillance and early detection Implement robust surveillance using PCR and viral culture tests to monitor respiratory illnesses and early detection of outbreaks Encourage reporting of unusual clusters of respiratory illness by healthcare providers2 Public Health Communication Develop clear communication strategies to inform the public about respiratory diseases and preventive measures Use multiple platforms social media community meetings local news to disseminate information3 Hygiene Practices Promote regular handwashing with soap and water for 10 seconds or the use of hand sanitizers Educate on proper respiratory hygiene eg covering mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughingsneezing4 Social Distancing and Quarantine Encourage social distancing of at least 6 feet in crowded or highrisk settings during outbreaks Implement quarantine measures for individuals exposed to a known respiratory pathogen5 Use of Personal Protective Equipment PPE Recommend the use of face masks in crowded or enclosed spaces especially during outbreaks and winters Provide PPE to healthcare workers and those caring for infected individuals6 Improving Indoor Air Quality Promote ventilation in indoor spaces to reduce airborne transmission Encourage the use of air purifiers and regular cleaning of floors and work surfaces7 Travel Restrictions and Monitoring Implement travel advisories and restrictions during outbreaks to limit spread Screen travellers for symptoms of respiratory illness at points of entry8 Community Engagement Involve community leaders and organizations to reach diverse populations and promote preventive measures9 Research and Development Invest in research for vaccines treatments and diagnostic tools for respiratory pathogens Support initiatives for rapid response to reemerging infectious diseases10 Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans Develop and regularly update pandemic preparedness plans at local national and global levels Conduct drills and training for healthcare workers and emergency responders11 Mental Health Support Provide resources and support for mental health during pandemics as apathy fear and anxiety can impact public response and compliance with health measures12 VaccinationPromote and facilitate vaccination against respiratory pathogens eg influenza COVID19 especially children and elderly before onset of wintersMeanwhile Maharashtra health department has issued directives to all collectors