Bhubaneswar, Jan 12: Speaking about the development to counter HMPV (Human metapneumovirus) in Odisha, the state's Health Services Director Dr Bijay Mohapatra said that the department is waiting for the centre's guidelines.

"Center guidelines are awaited," stated Dr Mohapatra. "The state government will take the next course of action once the guidelines come," he added.

Dr Mohapatra said that so far no guidelines have been issued from the Centre. "So we are waiting for the directives from the Center as well as from the NCDC's Technical Advisory Committee," the Odisha Health Director explained.

Explaining the symptoms of the HMPV, Dr Mohapatra said that the people infected with the virus experience cold, fever, cough as well as pneumonia.

"Since the time of Covid, our state has all the facilities and arrangements for testing and treatment of such infections," he asserted.

"We are ready for such diseases. Surveillance is underway for ILI (influenza-like illness) and SARI (severe acute respiratory infections). All the districts have been directed to conduct surveillance," Dr Mohapatra stated.

Giving assurance to people, the state Health Director urged the general public not to panic saying "Hospitals have adequate supply of medicines and oxygen."

read more Health News