Mon Jan 06 18:53:46 UTC 2025: ## Delhi on High Alert After Karnataka HMPV Cases
**New Delhi, January 7, 2025** – Following two reported cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, Delhi’s Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has ordered a city-wide preparedness drive. The directive, issued in line with advice from the Union Health Ministry, mandates that all hospitals be ready for a potential surge in respiratory illnesses.
To ensure readiness, the Health Secretary has been tasked with daily inspections of three hospitals, submitting reports on medicine and ICU bed availability, equipment condition, and the functionality of Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen plants. A parallel advisory from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) instructs hospital administrators to immediately isolate suspected HMPV cases, designate facilities for severe cases requiring ventilator support, and educate medical staff on the virus.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal took to X, urging immediate central intervention and emphasizing the importance of early containment, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Delhi government’s proactive measures aim to prevent a potential health emergency.
First Piper 