Fact Check: Viral Video Claiming PM Modi Announced Lockdown Over HMPV Cases Is False

The video, shared by a Facebook user named Kushwaha King on January 8, alleges that PM Modi announced a 21-day lockdown due to the detection of the first HMPV case in India

By
Rajkaran Bureau
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pm modi

A video clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing a 21-day nationwide lockdown has resurfaced on social media, falsely claiming that it pertains to a lockdown due to cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) reported in India. However, a fact-check reveals that this claim is fake, and the viral video dates back to March 2020, when PM Modi announced a lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The Viral Claim

The video, shared by a Facebook user named Kushwaha King on January 8, alleges that PM Modi announced a 21-day lockdown due to the detection of the first HMPV case in India, reportedly involving an 8-month-old child. The post quickly gained traction on social media, causing panic and confusion.

The Fact Check Process

To verify the claim, the following steps were undertaken:

  1. Google Open Search: A search for credible news reports related to an HMPV-induced lockdown revealed no evidence supporting the claim.
  2. Official Sources: Checks on the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Health website, and official X (formerly Twitter) handles of relevant authorities showed no announcements of any such lockdown.
  3. Historical Context: The viral video was identified as a clip from March 2020 when PM Modi announced a 21-day lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, a recent PIB report dated January 7 stated that Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a meeting with state and union territory officials to address respiratory illnesses, including HMPV cases. The report emphasized that data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) showed no unusual rise in influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) cases in the country.

Current Situation

During the meeting, states were advised to:

  • Strengthen surveillance for ILI/SARI cases.
  • Enhance public awareness on preventive measures, including frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals, and practicing respiratory hygiene.

The government confirmed that there is no nationwide lockdown planned due to HMPV cases.