Mumbai, Jan 7 (Reporter) Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushriff on Tuesday said that human metapneumovirus (HMPV) disease is not serious, and children, the elderly, and patients with other serious diseases should be careful but not panic. He was speaking at a meeting held on the HMPV virus in the ministerial hall. The impact of the HMPV virus is seen in many countries of the world. On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary of Medical Education Department Dinesh Waghmare, Commissioner Rajeev Niwatkar, Director Dr. Ajay Chandanwale, and Director of AYUSH Department Dr. Along with Raman Ghungralkar, the principals of all the government medical colleges in the state were present through the video communication system. Minister Mushriff said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while interacting with the media, said that HMPV cases have been detected in some states. But the citizens of our state should not panic, as the government is trying to curb this disease by taking preventive measures by issuing comprehensive guidelines regarding this situation soon. All supervisors should be prepared to provide oxygen and isolation if necessary, along with medications to deal with the eventuality. At this time, CM also gave instructions that the collector of the concerned district should be contacted for additional and abundant medicines, he said. He has appealed to the citizens to follow the guidelines by spreading awareness about this disease. As part of preventive measures and vigilance, the health department has appealed to citizens to cover their mouth and nose with a handkerchief while coughing or sneezing. Frequent washing of hands with soap and water or sanitiser, if symptoms like fever, cough, sneezing, or cold are present, patients should stay away from public places after consulting a doctor and taking medicines; drinking plenty of water and consuming nutritious food as per medical advice will help reduce the spread of this disease. The minister also said that the Medical Education Department should stay away from the suspected patients and cooperate to reduce the prevalence of the said disease, added Mushriff...////...