Shimla: After China, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has knocked in India as well. Five children have been found infected across the country. These include a three-month-old girl and an eight-month-old boy in Karnataka. At the same time, this infection was found in a two-month-old child in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Two infected children are being treated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. After the cases came in the country, the Himachal Praadesh government has also alerted all medical colleges and hospitals.

These all children were declared infected after investigation by the New Delhi-based Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

According to the Health Ministry, everyone’s HMPV infected children condition is stable and there is no need to panic about this virus. In all the cases, the infected children have no history of foreign travel. The family of the infected child in Ahmedabad is from Dungarpur, Rajasthan. The medical officer in charge there, Bhavin Solanki, said, the child was admitted to the hospital on December 24 due to respiratory infection. His condition is stable, he has been kept in isolation right now. On the instructions of the central government, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh have also issued an alert.

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HMPV: Children and those with weak immunity should be cautious

● According to the Union Health Ministry, this is not the first time that its patients have been found in India, cases of this infection have been found in children for many decades.

● ICMR Chief Scientist Dr. Nivedita Gupta said, HMPV affects children, the elderly and people with weak immunity. At present it is not appropriate to say that it is like corona, but the symptoms like cold, cough, fever, phlegm are the same. The good thing is that its treatment is available.

This disease can also spread through coughing, sneezing, touching and shaking hands of infected persons…..

• The infection can cause bronchiolitis (inflammation in the tube carrying oxygen to the lungs) and pneumonia (filling of water in the lungs). Due to this, the infected may need to be hospitalized.

• It was first identified in the world in 2001, but many cases have been found in India since 2005.

Hospitals alerted, people coming from outside will be monitored

After the cases of HMPV came in the country, the Himachal Pradesh government has also become alert. On Monday, the Health Secretary held a meeting with all the medical colleges and hospital heads and asked them to remain alert. He issued instructions to keep masks, PPE kits, oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, ICU beds and ventilators in sufficient numbers in health institutions of all districts including IGMC Shimla, DDU, Tanda Medical Kangra, Chamba, Nahan so that in case of an emergency, if a patient of the virus is found, he can get better treatment.

HMPV: Prevention, vigilance and treatment are necessary

To stop the spread of the virus……

• Cover mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently with soap.
• Do not go to public places if you have symptoms.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Do not reuse tissue paper or handkerchiefs.
• Avoid sharing towels and sheets.

The Human Metapneumovirus spread in China is not new… It is recognized as a respiratory disease or respiratory virus all over the world. In the last 24 years, many people in India have been admitted to hospitals after being affected by it, of which the maximum are infants up to 24 months. Its symptoms are similar to cold, cough, fever, phlegm. It directly causes acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children. Some people are calling it similar to Covid-19. Although it is not as dangerous as Covid, there is still a need to be cautious…

No need to panic, the virus does not spread as fast as Covid-19 

First discovered in 2001… Spreads in the same way as influenza

Can increase lung and respiratory problems

HMPV is a virus that causes diseases related to the lungs and respiratory system. It was first discovered in 2001. HMPV can cause mild to severe respiratory problems, especially in infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. It usually spreads more in winter and early spring, although in some areas it can spread throughout the year. HMPV spreads in the same way as other respiratory viruses such as RSV and influenza. This virus spreads through small droplets released from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, touching contaminated surfaces or coming in direct contact with an infected person. To avoid this, it is important to wash hands frequently with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wear a mask and clean frequently touched surfaces. Avoid going near sick people.

Symptoms… Like cough and fever, children, elderly and people with weak immunity need to be cautious

The symptoms of HMPV depend on the age and immune system of the person. It has symptoms like runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever, which look like common cold. Some people may have prolonged cough, nervousness while breathing or extreme fatigue. In severe cases, especially in infants, elderly or people suffering from serious diseases, it can cause complications like bronchitis, bronchiolitis (inflammation of the windpipe) or pneumonia.

• In some cases, patients may need to be hospitalized due to severe respiratory problems… These severe symptoms are especially worrisome for those who are at higher risk, such as the elderly, people with weak immunity or people suffering from any disease.

• If there is high fever (more than 103 degrees), difficulty in breathing, yellowing of the skin, lips or nails, then consult a doctor immediately.

Identification of infection through RT-PCR test

It is difficult to detect HMPV based only on symptoms, because its symptoms look like diseases like RSV and flu.

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is done to detect it. Apart from this, antigen detection tests which give rapid results are also available. In India, institutions like ICMR and Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) monitor HMPV and other respiratory viruses.

Both HMPV and COVID-19 are respiratory viruses…But they are different

• Both viruses can cause symptoms such as cough, fever and shortness of breath and can be dangerous for infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
• The COVID-19 virus can cause more widespread symptoms such as loss of taste and smell, blood clots and multiorgan failure (many organs stop functioning).
• While there are vaccines and antiviral drugs available for COVID, there is no drug for HMPV yet.

Global and national surveillance of the HMPV virus

The Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation in India through all available surveillance channels. Surveillance mechanisms such as ICMR and Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) are monitoring trends in HMPV circulation. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) is providing timely updates on the situation in China to inform the measures already underway.

Treatment… No drug or vaccine

• There is currently no specific drug or vaccine available for HMPV. Prevention and timely treatment are the most important things right now…
• Treatment focuses on controlling the symptoms of the infection. In mild cases, rest, drinking plenty of water and taking medicines for fever and cold are sufficient.
• In severe cases… such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, the patient may need oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation to help breathing.

HMPV Becoming active in cold weather, not present in more than 5% of samples

There have been several major studies in India on the HMPV virus, of which five are the most important.

According to a study by the Regional Medical Research Center (RMRC) in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh in September 2024, four percent of the samples tested in OPD and IPD of 100 patients at BRD Medical College were infected with HMPV.

• Between April 2016 and August 2018, 14 out of 350 (4%) samples in Chennai were found infected.
• On February 25, 2021, the Jawaharlal Institute of Medical Education in Puducherry found 23 out of 447 (5%) samples positive.
• The positivity rate of HMPV has been 4% in Chennai, 5% in Pondicherry, 3.6% in Lucknow and 3% in Kolkata.

It is fatal due to acute respiratory infection

ICMR also has the genomic structure of the virus, which tells about eight genes of the virus and a total of nine proteins in them. The length of the genome of the virus is 13.35. This disease is fatal because it causes acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children.

More patients in America than India

According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the positivity rate of HMPV infection from 1976 till now is up to 10%. That is, HMPV was found in 10 out of 100 patients with respiratory infection here. Whereas in India this figure is a maximum of five out of 100 since 1990.

Before 2001, this HMPV virus was not identified separately, later the Netherlands confirmed it.

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Sourabh Jaiswal

Journalism with fairness, honesty, confidence and inquisitiveness. Passion started with Cricbuzz in 2004. HT Media carved it. Polished in Hindustan and Diary Times gave it shine. Journey continues with Diarytimes.com. Interested in writing, travelling and exploring new things. Funda of life: Everyone has two paths, run or part. I choose to participate instead of running away.