As India reported its first cases of the human metapneumovirus or HMPV, health experts said the outbreak is not a public health emergency, or a “Covid-like" situation. They, however, warned that viral infections increase in children during the winter season and they should not be sent to school if they display common cold symptoms.
Five infants tested positive for HMPV in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat on Monday, even as Union health minister JP Nadda sought to assuage fears saying the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry.
Echoing Nadda, former ICMR scientist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar told CNN-News18 that India should not be worried about the virus, as it had always been present in the country but only recently detected. He said it is detected more in its milder form during winter and does not lead to death.
“There are no studies globally where case fatality has been documented. This is a common cold virus and children only get infected as elders are getting repeatedly infected by the virus," he told CNN-News18.
Gangakhedkar, however, cautioned that children aged below five and showing symptoms of the common cold should not be sent to school, as they could end up spreading the infection. “For protection, all those who have the common cold must ensure they follow Covid guidelines if they have a child below 5 years of age. If your child is under 5 and has the common cold, they should not be sent to school because they will spread the infection among others…" he said.
He further said the virus will cause a “more severe kind of disease" in children as they have been infected by it for the first time. “…Infants tend to show antibodies against the virus… We should not be worried about the virus," he added.
The expert also said globally, every country reports HMPV among all respiratory illnesses. He said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted a study between 2016 and 2018, where 16,000 patients were tested for the virus as well as other respiratory viruses. The virus was found in them, which confirmed it was present in India, he added.
Adding to Gangakhedkar’s views, Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Padma Shri and chairman of Nephron Clinic told CNN-News18 that HMPV has been around in the world for the past two-and-a-half decades. Dr Bagai said while there is no self-medication or antivirals and approved vaccines for this virus, neither are required.
“Don’t panic. It’s not a Covid-like situation; the virus is bringing attention to respiratory infections in winter, which increase especially in children. The virus peaks in infants in the age group of six to 12 months," he said.
He further said parents must ensure children are hydrated and well-fed with nutritious food. He, too, emphasised the importance of precautionary measures. “Three important things: wear a mask, go to areas that are well-ventilated, keep your surroundings clean and don’t come in contact with infected people," he added.
The HMPV is a globally recognised respiratory virus that recently gained attention after its outbreak was reported in China. It is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in people of all age groups.
The virus was first discovered in 2001 and belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family. It spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces or coming into direct contact with infected individuals.
While the Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra governments assured that there was no cause for alarm, the Delhi government directed all hospitals in the capital to remain fully prepared to manage a potential surge in respiratory illnesses.
Two cases were detected in Karnataka by the ICMR through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens. A three-month-old girl with a history of bronchopneumonia was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She has already been discharged, the health ministry said.
An eight-month-old boy with a history of bronchopneumonia tested positive for HMPV on January 3 after being admitted to Baptist Hospital. He is now recovering, it said. Neither have any history of international travel, the ministry underlined.
In neighbouring Tamil Nadu, two more children tested positive for the virus. These two are the first cases to be reported from the city and are undergoing treatment in two hospitals, officials said.
The fifth case was reported from Gujarat’s Ahmedabad. A two-month-old boy admitted to a private hospital in the city tested positive for HMPV. The infant, who hails from Dungarpur in Rajasthan, was hospitalised on December 24, 2024, with symptoms of respiratory infection. Initially, the child needed ventilator support but his condition is stable now, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation medical officer Bhavin Solanki said.
Nadda said the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry. He said HMPV is not a new virus and no surge in any of the common respiratory virus pathogens has been observed in the country.
In a video message, he said in the wake of the recent reports of the virus in China, the health ministry, ICMR, and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are keeping a close watch on the situation in the neighbouring country and others in the region.
The Union health minister said the World Health Organization (WHO) has “taken cognisance of the situation and will share the report shortly with us". “The country data for respiratory viruses available with ICMR and integrated disease surveillance programme has also been reviewed and no surge in any of the common respiratory virus pathogens is observed in India," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
