Hospital stocks saw significant gains on Monday, January 6, in an otherwise weak market after the Union Health Ministry confirmed the detection of three cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). These cases are part of an ongoing nationwide monitoring initiative for respiratory illnesses.
The detections, including two cases in Karnataka and one in Gujarat, came amidst reports of a viral outbreak causing concern in China.
Stocks
Rainbow Children’s Medicare climbed 4 per cent to its day’s high of ₹1620 while Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences also advanced 3.4 per cent to ₹649. Narayana Hrudayalaya gained as much as 3.3 per cent to ₹1,353.75. Apollo Hospital Enterprises and Aster DM Healthcare added 2 per cent each.
Government Assurance on Public Health
The health ministry emphasised that HMPV is not a new pathogen and is already circulating globally, including in India. Cases associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries, and no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases has been observed in India based on current ICMR and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) data.
The ministry said it is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels.
“ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year. The World Health Organization (WHO) is already providing timely updates regarding the situation in China to further inform ongoing measures. The recent preparedness drill conducted across the country has shown that India is well-equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses and public health interventions can be deployed promptly if needed,” the ministry said.
The positive market response to this announcement reflects investor confidence in the healthcare sector’s ability to address emerging public health challenges.
Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decision.
