New Delhi:Sometimes common problems like cold, cough and fever can also be a sign of a serious disease, especially in small children. Parents often take these symptoms lightly, but recent research suggests that a dangerous virus may be hidden behind such common-looking problems. In this series, a virus, Human Meta-Pneumovirus (HMPV), has affected children the most in India this year.
A new study has revealed that this virus is spreading rapidly among children aged 1 to 2 years. This virus, which comes with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, is often ignored as a common cold, whereas its effect can be much more serious.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that spreads rapidly through the air and can cause serious infections. In this, symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing are seen. Usually people consider it to be a common cold, whereas it is causing rapidly increasing infections in children.
According to the report published in The Lancet Regional Health South-East Asia journal:
Most cases of HMPV were found in children aged 1 to 2 years.
Its cases started appearing in India from the second week of January 2025, starting from Gujarat and Puducherry.
It is believed that this is to the seasonal diseases spreading in China at the end of 2024.
In the investigation of more than 20,000 people from 2019 to 2023, about 3.2% people were found to be HMPV positive.
In 2024, 3.3% of cases were confirmed in more than 11,000 tests.
Most positive cases were recorded at the age of 1–2 years.
Fever and cough were the most common symptoms in about 70% of patients.
Most patients remained ill for an average of 11 days and had to be hospitalized for about 7 days.
Experts say that even though HMPV is not a new virus, its cases are increasing rapidly in children. It is emerging as a serious respiratory disease, hence its timely identification and prevention is very important.
According to researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Tamil Nadu Health Department,
To better understand and control this virus, it is necessary to strengthen the surveillance system. This will not only help in preventing infection, but will also help in making future health policies.
