HMPV virus is spreading rapidly in India, total 7 positive cases so far, government said – no need to panic

New Delhi:7 cases of HMPV infection have been reported in children in India. Two cases each have been registered in Bengaluru, Nagpur and Tamil Nadu and one in Ahmedabad. Allaying concerns, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that the increase in these cases will not lead to an outbreak like Covid. HMPV is not a new virus. It was identified in 2001 and has spread throughout the world for many years. Experts say that HMPV rarely requires hospitalization and complications can be prevented with timely treatment.What is the update on the cases reported so far?
The Health Ministry, ICMR and NCDC are keeping an eye on the situation in China and neighboring countries. WHO has also taken note of the situation and will share its report soon. ICMR has confirmed two cases at Bangalore Baptist Hospital. A three-month-old girl from Bengaluru, who was admitted with fever and cold in December, tested positive. She has now recovered and gone home.

On January 3, a second case of HMPV was found in an eight-month-old baby. he/she was admitted due to fever after his/her injury. he/she tested positive for both HMPV and RSV. he/she is recovering now. Both the children had previously suffered from bronchopneumonia. None had traveled abroad, which suggests the infection occurred locally.

A two-month-old baby from Dungarpur in Rajasthan was admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad with respiratory illness on December 24. On December 26, she was diagnosed with HMPV. AMC’s Dr Bhavin Solanki said the hospital reported the case late. The patient was kept isolated. Two children, aged seven and 13, tested positive at Nagpur’s Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences. he/she was initially treated with Tamiflu on suspicion of H1N1 (swine flu), but a PCR test on January 3 confirmed HMPV. The children recovered from OPD treatment. Although the hospital had reported the cases, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation decided to re-test the samples at AIIMS Nagpur. These matters were discussed in ICMR’s video conference on Monday.

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Supriya Sahu said there are two active cases in the state in Chennai and Salem. The condition of both is stable. he/she said that HMPV infections resolve on their own and the treatment is symptomatic care, adequate water and rest.

Was identified for the first time in Netherlands
HMPV was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001. It causes diseases ranging from mild respiratory infections to more serious diseases like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. In India, its prevalence ranges from 1% to 19% in different regions.

JP Nadda said- We are keeping a close watch
Health Minister Nadda said that HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets and can affect people of all age groups. he/she said that this virus spreads more in the winter and early spring months. he/she assured that our health systems and surveillance networks are alert. This is to ensure that the country remains prepared to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges. There is nothing to worry about. We are monitoring the situation closely.

Dr Rajni Kant, ICMR’s disease eradication chair, said HMPV is a known cause of respiratory disease in children and its presence has been confirmed in different parts of India. Kant said the ICMR-regional medical research centre, Gorakhpur, will conduct testing for respiratory pathogens in 100 patients under five years of age at the BRD Medical College in 2022. Four out of 100 (4%) children were found to be HMPV positive.