Ahmedabad: An eight-year-old boy in Gujarat’s Himatnagar has tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), raising the country’s tally to nine confirmed cases. The boy, currently on ventilator support, is receiving necessary medical care, district health officials reported on Thursday.

The Gujarat government issued an advisory asking people to cover their face while sneezing, avoid going to crowded places, keep distance from flu-infected persons, get adequate sleep and drink water as much as possible and contact a doctor for any respiratory issues.

China is experiencing a surge in infections of a respiratory virus, leading to public concerns about an outbreak. The virus, identified as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), has seen cases spiking across northern Chinese provinces this winter, particularly among children.

While the Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra governments assured that there was no cause for alarm, the Delhi government directed all hospitals in the capital to remain fully prepared to manage a potential surge in respiratory illnesses.

The flu-like virus can lead to serious illness among vulnerable groups, such as young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.