HMPV Virus News: HMPV not new to India, Kerala; nothing to be concerned about, says State Health Minister

Amid detection of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in parts of the country, the district administration of Pune in Maharashtra on Tuesday said necessary arrangements were being made to tackle the infection, but said there was nothing to be concerned about.

HMPV 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 mild and self-limiting, and most patients recover on their own.

State Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday said Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been detected in several Indian states, including Kerala, in the past and therefore, there was nothing to be concerned about.

Speaking to reporters, George urged people not to spread fake news about the virus to create unnecessary fear among the public. At the same time, the minister advised wearing masks as a precautionary measure against any airborne viral infection including HMPV.

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 the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) after five cases were detected in India.

On Tuesday, two suspected cases of the virus were reported from Maharashtra's Nagpur. Both the patients were discharged after treatment, a senior official said.

On the HMPV virus, the Chairman of PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Dr Gopi Chand Khilnani said to news agency ANI, "The virus is emitted basically by respiration, by coughing. So at room temperature, it will survive for six hours and if the temperature is low like 4 degrees, it will survive for longer...There can also be transmission by fomites which are non-living objects like a table or chair or book or door handle. The patient touches it and the other person touches it and he gets it or by close contact.People who are susceptible, like elderly people and those who have asthma or COPD or any chronic lung disease or heart disease, or those who have uncontrolled diabetes, or are undergoing treatment for any kind of cancer, or have received chemotherapy at any time, should be extra careful in avoiding going to crowded places.People who are suffering from viral illness like cough, cold, sore throat, or runny nose, should wear a mask.There is no room for panic. This is not the same situation as we saw during the Delta waves of COVID where people are hoarding oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators. But being cautious always helps. We don't lose anything by being cautious and the Health Ministry of the Government of India will take adequate steps to trace the case.

An eight-month-old infant receiving treatment for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) at Baptist Hospital has been discharged. Doctors have confirmed that the baby has fully recovered and is in good health.

Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar says, "It is not an alarming situation as of now. The central government has also clarified this. The Dungarpur case is under control. This virus has been there already..."

Professor of Epidemiology at PGI, Dr. PVM Lakshmi, says, "...It is a virus that causes common respiratory diseases. There is no need to panic... Last year, we had 170+ positive cases... This virus is not new. It can cause severe infections among children and elderly, but it has already been doing so... It has similar symptoms to common respiratory diseases... It is difficult to differentiate from Covid without testing... There is no need to panic as of now..."

The Tamil Nadu government has reassured the public that there is no need to panic over the HMPV, following the detection of two cases in the state. Health Minister Ma Subramanian confirmed that the individuals - one from Salem, a 69-year-old cancer patient with high blood pressure and diabetes, and the other, a 45-year-old from Chennai - are both "doing well."

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is closely monitoring the situation regarding the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and is following all precautions recommended by the Union Government and Maharashtra Health Department.

As of now, no HMPV cases have been reported in Mumbai.

The BMC, in collaboration with health authorities, conducted a comparative analysis of respiratory infections reported in December 2023 and December 2024.

The analysis found no significant increase in infections during this period.

Meanwhile, Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra, early this morning, reviewed the situation regarding HMPV cases and confirmed that no surge in respiratory illnesses has been observed across the country.

He stated that robust surveillance measures are in place to monitor such infections.

States have been advised to enhance public awareness about preventive measures and to strengthen surveillance systems to detect respiratory illnesses effectively.

The Maharashtra health department has issued an alert following concerns over a potential surge in Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) cases.

People experiencing symptoms such as cough and fever have been advised to exercise extra caution.

Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has called a high-level meeting at 3 pm today at St. George's Hospital Health Centre in Mumbai to address the situation.

Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav is also expected to attend.

Two children in Nagpur, Maharashtra, have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).

The children, aged 7 and 13 years, had been experiencing cough and fever, prompting testing for the virus, which came back positive.

A two-month-old boy from Dungarpur, Rajasthan, was admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad with respiratory symptoms and later tested positive for HMPV.

Initially requiring ventilator support, the child is now stable.

Tamil Nadu has reported two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), with one case from Chennai and the other from Salem.

Both cases are stable and being monitored by the state health department, which reassured the public that there is no significant surge in common respiratory viral infections in the state.

The Additional Chief Secretary to the Health & Family Welfare Department, Supriya Sahu, clarified in a release that these are the first reported cases of HMPV in Tamil Nadu.

Two infants tested positive for HMPV.

A three-month-old girl with a history of bronchopneumonia was diagnosed and has since been discharged after treatment at Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru.

An eight-month-old boy, also with a history of bronchopneumonia, tested positive on January 3 and is now recovering.

HMPV, first identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, spreads through respiratory droplets, personal contact, and contaminated surfaces.

The virus is part of a group of pathogens that can cause influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).

It is known to be more prevalent during the winter and early spring months.