Kolkata: Measures to screen and identify patients with symptoms of human metapneumo virus (HMPV) have been initiated at some city private hospitals. At least two hospitals on Wednesday decided to make a virus detection test mandatory for patients with severe symptoms on admission.
A hospital in south Kolkata identified an isolation ward where patients with symptoms and recent foreign travel history are being admitted. However, none tested positive for the virus at the hospitals since an outbreak was reported in China last week.
Desun Hospital started conducting a viral pcr test on patients with respiratory distress. “It takes around two-three hours to get the test done, and if the numbers increase or if a patient tests positive, we will make it mandatory for all to undergo the test on admission,” said Amitabha Saha, director of critical care at Desun.
Ruby General Hospital made masks and distancing mandatory in its respiratory ward. After a meeting on Wednesday, a circular was issued for all employees advising them to use surgical masks, frequently wash hands, and stay at home if they have cough or fever.
Charnock Hospital decided to conduct a viral panel test on all patients with severe respiratory disease symptoms“We have been receiving a steady stream of cough-and-cold patients this season but we haven’t had any severe cases over the last few days. But screening is on, and we will step it up if necessary,” said Charnock emergency head Nishant Agarwal.
Others, like BP Poddar Hospital, have launched a fever clinic to screen patients and identified an isolation unit. “Anyone presenting with a fever is directed to our fever clinic for evaluation. Patients with symptoms and recent international travel history are being placed in isolation wards for monitoring. We are giving special attention to COPD patients and the elderly,” said group advisor Supriyo Chakrabarty. .
Narayana Hospitals, including RN Tagore Hospital in Mukundapur, have kept isolation towards ready to treat communicable diseases. “We will continue to monitor the situation and will be ready to treat affected patients as required,” said Narayana COO R Venkatesh.
Doctors, though, said there was no need to panic since there has not been any spread or reason to suspect that the new variant could be dangerous. But they advised caution. “HMPV is one of the most common causes of bronchiolitis in babies,” said Bichitrovanu Sarkar, head of pediatric critical care at Desun.