In a proactive legal move, Advocate Shreerang Bhandarkar approached the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday, urging it to address the emerging threat posed by Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). Drawing parallels with the court’s swift action during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, Bhandarkar has called for immediate governmental intervention to combat the spread of HMPV.
The court, which had previously taken suo motu cognisance of the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to deliberate on this new application on January 10. During the pandemic, Bhandarkar served as amicus curiae, assisting the court with the COVID-19 related directives that significantly influenced Maharashtra’s response to the health crisis.
Bhandarkar’s application emphasized the “recent increase in reported cases of HMPV,” which has necessitated heightened vigilance, preparedness, and proactive public health measures. He proposed that the High Court direct the state health department to enhance surveillance, expand testing and reporting, and establish a dedicated task force to address emerging respiratory viruses.
Additionally, the plea includes a request for the court to mandate the government to initiate public health campaigns aimed at educating the public about HMPV symptoms, modes of transmission, and preventive measures. This action is crucial given the confirmed cases of HMPV already reported in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.
