Guwahati:

A 10-month-old child has been detected with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection, the first such case this season in Assam, officials said today.

The child is “stable” and is undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh.

AMCH superintendent Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan said the child was admitted to the state-run hospital with cold-related symptoms four days ago.

“The HMPV infection was confirmed yesterday after we got test results from the Lahowal-based ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR-RMRC),” he said.

He also said samples are sent to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for tests in influenza and flu-related cases as a routine practice.

“It was a routine test during which the HMPV infection was detected. The child is stable now. It is a common virus and there is nothing to worry about,” he said.

A senior official at the ICMR-RMRC in Lahowal said it was the first HMPV case this season. 

“Since 2014, we have detected 110 HMPV cases in Dibrugarh district. Every year it is detected, and nothing is new. We have got the sample from AMCH and this has been found positive for HMPV,” he was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI. 

HMPV Virus Is Similar To Flu, Not Like Covid

The HMPV is a respiratory virus and has recently gained attention after its outbreak in China. Experts, however, have dismissed fears that the situation is comparable to the beginnings of Covid-19 five years ago.

First discovered in 2001, it generally causes a mild infection of the upper respiratory tract and spreads via person-to-person contact or when someone touches a contaminated surface.

HMPV’s common symptoms include coughing, fever and a blocked nose — very similar to many types of cold and flu.

Vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems may develop more severe symptoms.

New Delhi:

A six-month-old girl in Mumbai became the eight case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country and the third in Maharashtra. The infant was admitted to the hospital on January 1 with severe cough, chest tightness and oxygen levels dropping to 84%. She was discharged after five days. Earlier, two cases were detected in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, involving a seven-year-old and 13-year-old. The other cases were from Karnataka (2), Gujarat (1), Tamil Nadu (2).

Many states, including Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Bihar, have urged people not to panic, while Mizoram has formed a committee to monitor the spread of HMPV. Isolation wards have been created in civil hospitals in three Gujarat cities – Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Rajkot. In a meeting held amid reports of a surge in HMPV cases in China, the Centre has advised states to step up surveillance for respiratory illnesses, including ILI and SARI, and spread awareness about the prevention of transmission of HMPV.

HMPV is a globally recognised respiratory virus. It is one of the many respiratory viruses that can cause infections in people of all ages, particularly during the winter and early spring months. The virus infection is usually a mild and self-limiting condition and most patients recover on their own. Former chief scientist at World Health Organization Soumya Swaminathan told NDTV that there is no correlation between HMPV and Covid, adding that the numbers being tracked are “meaningless”. She added that wearing a mask would be a good practice.

New Delhi:

Only 3% of the people who are tested for Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (SARI) are found infected with the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which has triggered concerns five years after COVID-19 first emerged, former World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan has said.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Ms Swaminathan also said the HMPV infection has been in circulation in India for several years, but has come as a “bit of shock” to the people as it is not frequently talked about. 

The top health scientist’s remarks came as India reported seven cases of HMPV, a globally recognised respiratory virus that recently gained attention after its outbreak was reported in China. The Union health ministry on Monday said five patients (two more cases were detected later) have no recent travel history, and ruled out exposure from other regions or countries.

“The ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has been doing some surveillance across virus labs and they routinely look at people who have ILI or SARI. Of all the cases that they test, about 3% turn out to be positive for HMPV. Actually, a much higher number are positive for Sars-CoV-2 that we are not talking about at all. So, this is only 3% of the overall, you know, spectrum of viruses that are causing respiratory illnesses currently,” Ms Swaminathan said.

The prevalence of HMPV, however, varies from month to month, she said. “We do have data in India that’s telling us, you know, what’s out there and it’s all local. It’s not that it’s come from outside or it’s come from China. It’s been circulating in India for many years,” she said. 

“We know that seasonally, we are exposed to different kinds of viruses and pathogens and so on. For example, in the monsoon, we know that vector-borne diseases like dengue start spreading more, especially in our cities and urban areas. In winters, cooler months, we see an increase in respiratory viruses and we must say that air pollution also plays a major role..,” she said.

“Meaningless To Keep Count Of HMPV Infections”

Ms Swaminathan also said it is “meaningless” to keep a tab on the number of people getting infected in the country. “It (the figure) really depends on the testing that’s being done. So if we suddenly start testing millions of people who have respiratory symptoms, we’re going to find HMPV in the thousands. If we are going to test a few dozen, then we are going to find them in single digits,” she said.

“I think counting these 1, 2, and 3 numbers is actually meaningless because we have this virus circulating in the community like many other viruses,” she added.

Conducting tests for such viruses is more common in the private than in the government sector, Ms Swaminathan said. However, she added, “every other person gets it and everybody cannot have a diagnostic test to find out what virus is infecting them. And there is no need also, because most of the time they are recovering.”

No Relation With COVID-19

The health scientist also said that there is no correlation between HMPV and COVID-19, which has killed millions worldwide ever since it first broke out in China in 2020. “Coronavirus is another group of viruses. The HMPV is a very different kind of virus.” 

She said there doesn’t seem to be any new mutation and the HMPV virus is the same, whether it is in China or India. “But obviously, the National Institute of Virology and others are going to keep tracking the virus to ensure that there is nothing to be concerned about,” she said. 

HMPV Mostly Unheard Of

Ms Swaminathan said the symptoms associated with HMPV are very similar to a cold or a flu. “It’s just that it’s a new family. I think people have not heard about this name (HMPV) very much. It’s not routinely tested or talked about and therefore, perhaps, it has come as a bit of a shock,” she said, adding: “Doctors, respiratory specialists, infectious disease specialists and scientists are well aware of this and have known about this virus family for a very long time.” 

Reinforce Mask-Wearing, Monitor Symptoms

The former WHO chief scientist stressed the importance of wearing a mask, a practice that was enforced earlier to slow down the spread of COVID-19. “The only thing I’d like to mention is that in India, we are still not in the habit of wearing masks, and I think it’s a very good habit to inculcate when you have a cold, it doesn’t matter what virus it is. If you have a cold, you’re sneezing or coughing. Please wear a mask so that you don’t infect others.” 

Amid concerns that HMPV significantly impacts children and older adults, the health expert said it is important to keep an eye on the “warning signs”. 

“If it’s a baby and it gets a respiratory infection, and if that goes on, leading to breathlessness or incessant coughing, or unable to take feeds or swallow… the child needs to be taken to a doctor. Similarly, an older person, if you find the person breathing fast or getting breathless or unable to lay down, the person needs to go to a doctor. People who have asthma,  underlying cardiac illnesses, if the symptoms get exacerbated, then you need to go and see your doctor,” she said. 

Testing Public Healthcare System Key

Ms Swaminathan said the prevalence of such viruses help to test the strength of the public healthcare system. “How well are we going to do when we are faced with the real threat of a new epidemic or a pandemic. This kind of thing maybe allows us to test the system a little bit and also, maybe, put a little more focus on surveillance, genomic testing, and the communication of those results to the public. You know, we need good public health communication so that people don’t get into these kinds of panic situations,” she said.

Measures To Fight HMPV

Besides wearing a mark, intake of lots of fluids, keeping one’s hands clean and taking a paracetamol in case of fever and body ache are some of the precautionary measures that the health expert suggested. “If you become breathless and are coughing continuously and unable to eat and start vomiting, these are definitely warning signs to see a doctor. Spread health awareness and do not create panic. Let us educate ourselves on how to deal with this rationally,” she said.

Earlier in the day, the Union government advised states to step up surveillance for respiratory illnesses, including ILI and SARI, and spread awareness about the prevention of HMPV. It also said that the virus is already in “circulation” globally and that “there’s no need to panic”. 

New Delhi:

India has reported five cases of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus that recently gained attention after its outbreak in China. The Centre said the HMPV is already in “circulation” globally and that “there’s no need to panic”.

New Delhi:

Amid the rising Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) scare, the top medical body – the Indian Council of Medical Research or ICMR – on Monday alerted that the virus is already in “circulation” globally, including India. However, it noted that India is well-equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses.

The ICMR’s statement came as Bengaluru reported two cases of HMPV – a 3-month-old baby who has been discharged and an 8-month-old who is recovering. The health department ruled out exposure from other regions or countries, saying that the infected infants and their families have no recent travel history.

Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, it said.

“It is emphasized that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries. Furthermore, based on current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country,” the ICMR said.

It also noted that while the Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels, ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year.

Earlier, the Centre had announced that it is monitoring the HMPV and other respiratory viruses following the surge of cases in China. A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) was held by representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and other health organisations, to evaluate the situation.

The Karnataka and Maharashtra governments have issued guidelines for citizens. Kerala Health Minister Veena George also advised the elderly and pregnant women to wear masks, adding there is no need to panic as of now.

What is HMPV?

HMPV, first discovered in 2001, is a part of the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The symptoms commonly associated with the virus include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. HMPV can occasionally trigger pneumonia or chronic respiratory conditions.

It can spread from an infected individual to others through coughing, sneezing or personal contact.

Young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe illness due to HMPV.

Global HMPV Tracker: The spread of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory illness with flu-like symptoms similar to Covid-19, in China, has raised health concerns globally, with countries closely monitoring the situation. Respiratory illnesses in China align with seasonal variations caused by viruses such as influenza, RSV, and HMPV.

In India, two cases of HMPV were reported in Bengaluru on Monday – a 3-month-old baby who has been discharged and an 8-month-old who is recovering. Neither of the patients have a history of international travel, the Union Health Ministry said.

According to the US Centre for Disease Control, HMPV causes upper and lower respiratory infections. It affects individuals across all age groups, with young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems being most vulnerable.

Here are the latest updates on HMPV:

New Delhi:

The situation in China is not unusual in view of the ongoing flu season, a joint monitoring group has said amid reports of a surge in cases of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the neighbouring country.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Delhi today, the government said in a statement.

Experts from the World Health Organisation, Disaster Management Cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Emergency Medical Relief Division, and hospitals, including AIIMS-Delhi participated.

The joint monitoring group agreed that the cause of the present surge in China is the influenza virus, RSV and HMPV – the usual pathogens that are expected during the season, the government said in the statement.

It said the government is keeping a close watch over the situation through all available channels and the WHO has been asked to share timely updates regarding the situation in China.

A robust surveillance system for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) for influenza is already in place in India through both the ICMR and IDSP networks, and data from both indicates no unusual surge in ILI and SARI cases, the government said.

Physicians from hospitals confirmed there is no surge in respiratory illness cases in the last few weeks other than the expected seasonal variation.

The ICMR network also tests for other respiratory viruses such as adenovirus, RSV, HMPV, etc and these pathogens do not show an unusual increase in the tested samples, the government said.

As a precautionary measure, the ICMR will enhance the number of laboratories testing for HMPV, and will monitor trends of HMPV for the entire year.

Data from the recently conducted preparedness drill across the country indicated that India is well-prepared to deal with any increase in respiratory illnesses, the government said.

A top official of the country’s repository of technical knowledge on medical issues yesterday asked people not to panic over the spread of the HMPV in China. Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) official Dr Atul Goel suggested taking general precautions against all respiratory infections.

“… Otherwise, there is nothing to be alarmed about the present situation,” Dr Goel said.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV, so prevention is key to controlling its spread, doctors have said.

“There has been news doing the rounds about a Metapneumovirus outbreak in China. Let me be very clear on that count. Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus which causes common cold, and in the very old and the very young it could cause flu-like symptoms,” Dr Goel told reporters Friday.

“We have analysed data of the respiratory outbreaks within the country. There is no substantial increase in December 2024 data and no cases which have been reported in large numbers from any of our institutions,” he said.

Dr Goel said there is anyway an increased outbreak of respiratory virus infections in winter, for which hospitals are usually prepared with supplies and beds.

China is dealing with an outbreak of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), five years after the Covid-19 pandemic. Reports and social media posts suggest that the virus is spreading rapidly, with some claiming that hospitals and crematories are overwhelmed. Videos shared online show crowded hospitals, with some users saying that multiple viruses, including influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19, are circulating.

There are even claims that China has declared a state of emergency, though this has not been confirmed. HMPV is known to cause flu-like symptoms and can also present symptoms similar to Covid-19. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation as the virus spreads.

A social media post by an X handle known as ‘SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19)’ wrote in a post: “China is facing a surge in multiple viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19, overwhelming hospitals and crematoriums. Children’s hospitals are particularly strained by rising pneumonia and “white lung” cases.”

BREAKING:

China Declares State of Emergency as Epidemic Overwhelms Hospitals and Crematoriums.

Multiple viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, are spreading rapidly across China. pic.twitter.com/GRV3XYgrYX

— SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) (@COVID19_disease) January 1, 2025

Meanwhile, a news report by Reuters has said that China’s disease control authority said on Friday that it was piloting a monitoring system for pneumonia of unknown origin, with cases of some respiratory diseases expected to rise through the winter. The move to establish a dedicated system is aimed at helping authorities set up protocols to handle unknown pathogens, in contrast to the lower level of preparedness five years ago when the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19 first emerged.

岩屋毅外務大臣の更迭を求めます#岩屋売国大臣の勝手な売国を許さない

中国で呼吸器感染症の「HMPVウイルス」が急増、病院が満員になっている現状
これから中国が旧正月になって中国人
観光客が日本にきて感染拡大したらどうしてくれるんですか？
pic.twitter.com/RKoOuHdXgw

— サキガケ (@nihonpatriot) December 29, 2024

The National Disease Control and Prevention Administration will establish a procedure for laboratories to report and for disease control and prevention agencies to verify and handle cases, state broadcaster CCTV reported, quoting an administration official at a news conference. Data for acute respiratory diseases showed an upward trend in overall infections in the week of December 16 to 22, according to an official statement released on Thursday.

China is likely to be affected by various respiratory infectious diseases in winter and spring, Kan Biao, another official, said at the news conference. He said without elaborating that the overall number of cases this year would be smaller than last year.
Recent cases detected include pathogens such as the rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus, with cases of the human metapneumovirus among people under the age of 14 showing an upward trend, especially in northern provinces.

In a recent interview with the state-backed National Business Daily, a respiratory expert at a Shanghai hospital warned the public against blindly using antiviral drugs to fight human metapneumovirus, for which there is no vaccine but whose symptoms resemble those of a cold.