Last week, I noticed that multiple cities in India were hurrying to report 1-2 cases of HMPV Haffkine Membrane Peptide Variant. China had reported a steady rise in subsequent cases, and the news report had jumped into a buzz of panic, so I seem to recognize where this panic began. The Pune district, more precisely, the state's Sassoon Hospital, stated that it had already collected 17 cases of this infection by last December.

Dr Nagnath Yempalle, Pune district’s civil surgeon, acknowledged that the 17 cases registered until December 2024 are concerning, but not novel. According to the Pune Mirror, a city daily, Sassoon Hospital's medical superintendent was contacted for clarity on the supposed cases. As reported, Dr Yallappa Jadhav, the current Medical Superintendent, took on the post in April last year and was able to shed light on the matter. “HMPV is familiar to us as there have been around 17 cases with the majority of them being children. We are always prepared for any kind of emergency and know how to assist in such situations.”

Doctor sets authorities calm, as Pune district's civil collective meeting with officials from Baramati, medical schools, civic hospitals and those overseeing the county's putting out the call puts a stop to widespread dread. So far across the nation, nine individuals have been diagnosed with HMPV.

According to the doctor, “It has been decided in a meeting presided by the collector that isolation wards for suspected cases would be set up throughout all government hospitals and the cases would be monitored."

“We are all set in place, so there is no need to be alarmed,” Srinivas Pandley the Pune district collector remarked.

In a press conference, District collector Jitendra Dudi, said, “It is necessary to monitor the cases, but considering the costs involved, we would want to seek NIV, for which our health officials would be engaged to carry it on… In addition to that, we appeal to the public not to panic, as all readiness plans have been executed and are ready to be implemented, and all medical officers have been directed to monitor all the cases of influenza-like illness and SARI. Not only this, but also we have empowered the senior doctors to have their staff nurses trained on HMPV so that we screen the cases in good time and intervene early and avoid panic."