The Odisha government has heightened vigilance and directed district health authorities and public laboratories to ramp up monitoring for human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases. This comes as some states report the presence of HMPV, raising concerns about its potential spread.
With major events such as Utkarsh Odisha: Make-in-Odisha Conclave 2025 on the horizon, the Health and Family Welfare Department has proactively reviewed the stateās preparedness. Health Secretary Aswathy S emphasized the importance of vigilance while reassuring citizens that no HMPV cases have been detected in Odisha thus far. “The Centre and state government are fully alert about the HMPV infection. There is no reason to panic, and necessary measures are in place to handle any potential emergencies,” she stated.
While the state has refrained from issuing specific guidelines due to the absence of a central advisory, it has activated key health institutions, including the National Centre for Disease Controlās state unit, the integrated disease surveillance cell, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), and the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS). These bodies will focus on intensified testing and surveillance, especially among individuals presenting symptoms associated with HMPV.
The Health Department has stressed that preventing HMPV largely depends on public awareness and adherence to personal hygiene. Citizens are urged to maintain cleanliness and adopt preventive measures as the best line of defense against the virus.
Health experts, including Director of Public Health Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, DMET Dr. Santosh Mishra, and WHO representative Dr. Nihar Roy, alongside scientists from RMRC, participated in the review meeting to outline strategies for tackling potential outbreaks.
Although Odisha remains HMPV-free, the governmentās proactive measures reflect its commitment to safeguarding public health while ensuring the state is fully prepared to address any emerging challenges.
