Threat of epidemic in the country due to HMPV virus? Don’t be afraid, understand each and every thing

New Delhi : HMPV virus, which has become a threat in China, has entered India. Seven cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection were reported in the country on Monday. Of these, there are two cases each in Bengaluru, Nagpur and Tamil Nadu and one in Ahmedabad. However, the central government says that there is no danger from this virus right now. Allaying the concerns, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that the increase in cases will not lead to an outbreak like Covid. In such a situation, the question arises that how dangerous is this virus. Will it have a widespread impact in India? After the cases came to light in India, everything from its spread to symptoms are being discussed.

What is HMPV?

Human metapneumovirus or HMPV was discovered in 2000. At that time a group of Dutch scientists attempted to find out the causes of acute respiratory infections in humans. They had found an unknown pathogen. By 2001, Dutch scientists had sequenced metapneumoviruses using a complex mixture of special culture and molecular techniques.
However, later, some more interesting things emerged from the serological study (analysis of blood serum) of 28 children. This virus had been circulating in the Netherlands since 1958. Even before this its numbers had increased. In fact, in the first months of 2023, the US recorded an uptick in HMPV detection.

Should you be concerned?

Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte, Professor of Microbiology at BJ Medical College, Pune, said that our body has adapted to the presence of the virus over time. In most cases, all virus infections are asymptomatic or mild, but for some individuals they can cause serious illness and hospitalization.

This was true for COVID-19, and it is also true for HMPV. But unlike COVID-19, HMPV has been around for a long time. Also, there is no evidence that it is spreading faster in India than before.

Senior expert Dr. GC Khilnani also said that this virus poses a huge threat to people with weak immunity and the elderly. Khilnani is a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Global Air Pollution and Health. Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja of Max Healthcare said that patients suffering from diabetes, heart disease or kidney failure should be especially careful with HMPV.

How does the infection spread?

HMPV spreads to humans through respiratory droplets. Its heating period is believed to be between 3 and 5 days, but this can vary. According to the US CDC, there is currently no specific antiviral therapy to treat HMPV. There is no vaccine against it.

what are the symptoms

➤ Mild cases: Common cold,
➤ Severe cases: pneumonia or bronchopneumonia

How to test for HMPV?

Testing for HMPV often uses advanced methods such as biofire panels. It can detect multiple pathogens, including HMPV, in a single test. Many private labs in India do this test, but it costs thousands of rupees.

It is common in children, some cases are serious

Experts said HMPV is more common in children. Its infection is mainly occurring in children below two years of age. Approximately 5% to 10% of pediatric patients may be hospitalized due to HMPV-triggered acute lower respiratory tract infection. On average, doctors say that children under 6 months of age who are infected with HMPV infection. They are three times as likely to be hospitalized as children aged 6 months to 5 years.

Why are cases coming now?

Dr. Amitav Banerjee, a former field epidemiologist in the Indian Armed Forces, said the recent increase in China is due to ‘immunity debt’, that is, children born during the pandemic have less exposure to the virus in the first few months of life due to nonpharmacological interventions. I did not come. They are weak in terms of immunity, which leads to a large number of cases.

Weather also plays a role in its infection. “The mucus in our nasal passages, which acts as a protective barrier against pathogens, becomes less effective in cold, dry air. With less moisture in the mucus, this natural protection becomes weaker. This makes it easier for viruses to survive. It becomes easier for it to directly contact the nasal cells and infect them.

Present in India for almost two decades

A study conducted in 2003 by BJ Medical College and NIV-Pune confirmed HMPV in children in Pune. The study found a 19.2% positivity rate in 26 cases involving children. Of the five positive cases, four were infants below one year of age. There were both mild and severe infection patterns.

In a 2006 AIIMS study, 12% of children under five years of age suffering from acute respiratory illness (ARI) were found to be hMPV positive. Most of these cases occurred in the winter months. The 2013 NIV Pune study analyzed 224 diagnosed samples. Identified several hMPV lineages (A2, B1 and B2 lineages). A2 and B2 were the major subtypes found.

A 2014 study in Assam found HMPV in 20 (7.2%) of 276 children under 5 years of age. These had symptoms of ARI. The study also found that the highest prevalence of HMPV was found in January (46.7%). followed by December (16.7%). In a study conducted by ICMR in Gorakhpur in 2024, 100 child patients suffering from respiratory diseases were examined. Of them, 4% were found to be HMPV positive. One death among the positive cases was reported.

What can you do?

➤ Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
➤ Avoid close contact with sick people
➤ Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose with dirty hands
➤ Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
➤ Stay home if you are sick
➤ Clean surfaces like door handles, tables etc. regularly.
(With inputs from Anuja Jaiswal, Lata Mishra and Ishaan)