New Delhi, Jan 7: Children and elderly with cold and cough must stay at home to prevent the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory illness currently seeing an uptick in the country, said former AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria, on Tuesday.

Speaking to media, Guleria, Chairman, Institute of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta Gurugram, said that prevention is most important.

“If the child has fever, cold, and cough, the child should stay at home for at least 5 to 7 days, so that the child does not give the infection to others in the school,” he said.

He also recommended schools issue advisory to parents to not send such children to school, which can then also spread to the elderly.

So far, seven cases of HMPV — Karnataka (2), Gujarat (1), and Tamil Nadu (2) have been reported. All the cases were detected in young children ranging from 3 months old to 13 years old.

Guleria urged for following public health measures like regular handwashing and, the use of masks, which can protect from other respiratory illnesses like flu.

“I think the lessons we learned from, Covid are something that everyone should follow, especially during this time, because this will protect you not only from the HMPV but even from Covid or other influenza-related viruses.

“Covid appropriate behaviour such as wearing a mask, regular hand washing, cough etiquettes like covering your cough. If you don’t have a tissue or a handkerchief cover your cough/sneeze in your arm or elbow so that you don’t spread the infection, avoid going to crowded places,” the noted pulmonologist told media.

Guleria said that the virus is not new and causes only mild infection in young children and elderly persons. He added the infection is self-limiting and must not be treated with antibiotics but with proper hydration and nutrition.

Meanwhile, Union Minister JP Nadda, in a video message, said that the HMPV is not a new virus.

“It was first identified in 2001 and has been circulating in the entire world since many years, It spreads through the air by the way of respiration. This can affect persons of all age groups. The virus spreads more during the winter and the early spring months,” said the Union Minister.

The Health Ministry, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), and the National Centre for Disease Control are keeping a close watch on the situation in China, as well as in neighbouring countries, Nadda assured.

“There is no reason to worry. We are closely monitoring the situation,” he added.

Hyderabad, Jan 7: High tension prevailed in Nampally area here after BJP and Congress cadres clashed during a protest by the latter against BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri’s unsavoury remark about Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi in the national Capital recently during a poll rally.

Protesting against the BJP leader’s “smooth roads like Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks” remark, Youth Congress workers tried to lay siege to the BJP office.

The situation turned tense after BJP workers present there launched a counter-attack.

The protestors pelted stones on the BJP office while the BJP cadres attacked them with sticks. A few workers were injured in the clash.

Police personnel rushed to the spot and dispersed the clashing groups.

Later, BJP Yuva Morcha workers tried to lay siege to Congress headquarters Gandhi Bhavan, triggering more tension. They reached the Congress office in two groups to stage a protest.

They removed barricades to advance towards Gandhi Bhavan and tore off flexis of Congress leaders erected at the entrance. Several BJP leaders joined the Yuva Morcha in the protest. Protesting against the attack on the party office and raising slogans, the BJP workers sat on the road, throwing traffic out of gear.

Police swung into action, resorted to baton charge and arrested scores of protestors. They were whisked away in police vehicles.

As the offices of both parties are located not far from each other, the police had a tough time in controlling the cadres from both sides.

Police sealed the routes leading to the BJP office.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Coal and Mines and state BJP president G. Kishan Reddy has condemned the attack on the BJP office. He warned that if the Congress party does not desist from such actions, this would have serious consequences.

Kishan Reddy alleged that the Congress cadres attacked the BJP office in the presence of police. He said that there is no room for violence in a democracy.

Alleging that the police acted with bias, he asked the Hyderabad Police Commissioner how would he justify the police action.

Lucknow, Jan 7: Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the UP’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the Sambhal violence is a government conspiracy.

Addressing journalists here, Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of inciting violence in Sambhal, where innocent people were allegedly tortured. “When the SP delegation attempted to visit Sambhal, it was stopped by the authorities. What was the government trying to hide?” he questioned, adding that the incident was a deliberate attempt to disrupt communal harmony.

He further criticised the BJP for its lack of concern for human life, stating: “Life holds no value for them. This is a heartless party, devoid of sympathy. Justice and public grievances have no place in this government.”

Leader of the Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Mata Prasad Pandey, also presented a report on the Sambhal violence, alleging that tensions were deliberately escalated over a mosque survey. He accused the BJP of orchestrating the incident, stating that the survey team included BJP members and that police used disproportionate force. “Instead of using tear gas, they opened fire, attempting to disrupt the communal harmony of the state,” he said.

Pandey questioned the need for the survey, pointing to the Places of Worship Act which prohibits such actions. “This entire incident was part of a government conspiracy,” he claimed.

The violence in Sambhal had erupted on November 24 when a team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the Shahi Jama Masjid to examine the Mughal-era Mosque.

The SP chief also targeted the BJP on issues of corruption and injustice, particularly against the PDA (Backward, Dalit, and Minority communities). “Even BJP members are accusing each other of corruption. There is internal conflict within their politics in Delhi and Lucknow,” he claimed.

Commenting on electoral malpractice, he alleged that the administration played a role in manipulating elections. Referring to the by-elections for nine Assembly seats, he said, “People were not allowed to vote freely, with police officers stationed at places to stop people from going to polling booths. Media should visit Milkipur to witness firsthand how elections are conducted under this government.”

Alluding to the presence of saints and sages at Kumbh, Akhilesh Yadav indirectly criticised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. “I pray to the saints to take a companion with them when they leave. Many individuals are involved in activities they should not be, which impacts both their work and others,” he remarked.

He also raised about the alleged negligence of the government on an MLA’s claim about cow slaughter. “The BJP MLA says 50,000 cows are being slaughtered. If true, what is the Sanatani Chief Minister doing? If the MLA is wrong, why hasn’t the government addressed this?”

He also accused the government of allowing the demolition of an ASI-protected building in Agra. “The building was demolished by someone close to officials, seeking to expand their business,” Akhilesh Yadav alleged, criticizing the administration for its inaction.