The sudden outbreak of the Human Metapneumo Virus (HMPV) in China and the prevailing emergency-like situation, should set alarm bells ringing all over the world. Prevention being better than cure, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on its part cannot waste time researching and debating whether the virus has originated in Chinese laboratories or in their market place, as in the case of Covid-19, that set off a pandemic that claimed millions of precious lives. Nations have to be apprised from time to time about its dangers and means to prevent its spread. In India too, the Union Health ministry has to be on its toes, keeping abreast with the latest updates from the WHO, and ensure that it has the necessary infrastructure , equipment, and adequate stocks of life -saving medicines, in the event of an emergency.
