The rise in the cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China has increased the fear among people due to the experience of the recent pandemic just a few years back. The memories of the Covid-19 pandemic are still fresh among people and it might be painful for several people. However, the circumstances became quite neutralized and people started to return back to their new normal life.
Now, since December 2024, the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has informed about the sharp rise in HMPV infections, especially in Northern China. After the wide circulation of the images of hospitals with an increased number of masked patients in social media, health professionals ensure that human metapneumovirus is not similar to Covid-19 rather, it has been for several years.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is not a new virus and has been circulating globally for many years.
The health systems and surveillance networks of the country remain vigilant, ensuring the country is ready to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges. There is no cause… pic.twitter.com/IN1o5N38dq
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) January 6, 2025There have been around 17 cases of HMPV infections reported in different states of India over the past few days. Some of the regions where human metapneumovirus is detected in India include Karnataka, Gujarat, Assam and Puducherry. On 6th January 2025, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India published a press release where it was informed that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had identified two HMPV cases in Karnataka through routine surveillance.
Among these two cases, one was a three-month-old female infant, and the other was an eight-month-old male infant, and both were admitted to the Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka. They also informed that any of the infected patients had no international travel history. V Ravichandran, the director of Health for Puducherry, has also informed about other cases of human metapneumovirus in Puducherry through a release on late Sunday. This was a girl child who was found to be admitted to JIPMER with the symptoms of cough, fever and running nose. Nevertheless, according to China, the infection rate in the northern part of the nation is decreasing.
What is HMPV?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), human metapneumovirus has been identified as a respiratory virus which is responsible for symptoms like the common cold. It is not a new virus because it was found to be first identified in 2001 in the Netherlands. It mainly leads to upper respiratory infections, but lower respiratory infections such as asthma flare-ups and pneumonia can also be caused by this virus. Human metapneumovirus is an integral part of the Pneumoviridae family of viruses and also belongs to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Infected people by this virus generally become mildly sick, though it can cause severe problems and sickness to some people.
Like any other common cold virus, HMPV can be spread through close contact with the infected person. People can also be infected by this virus in terms of touching contaminated surfaces such as handles or door knobs. The prevalence of human metapneumovirus infections is usually observed in the late winter and spring seasons. While individuals belonging to all age groups can be infected by the virus, young children below the age group of five, older people over 65 age and individuals with poor immune systems and breathing problems are at greater risk of being infected by the virus.
Symptoms of HMPV
Cold or flu-like symptoms are generally observed among people who are infected with human metapneumovirus. Regarding the symptoms of HMPV, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) issued a press release on 6th January 2025. According to FAIMA, fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, wheezing, headache, body ache, shortness of breath and rash are included under the common symptoms and signs of the human metapneumovirus infection.
📌 #Breaking
📍PRESS RELEASE REGARDING #HMPV
One must be prepared for any ill effects of virus.
At present the situation appears to be under control and there is no need to panic!
But @MoHFW_INDIA must take presumptive actions.@PMOIndia @JPNadda @DghsIndia @ANI @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/x82zoAEj6t
— FAIMA Doctors Association (@FAIMA_INDIA_) January 6, 2025As it is an infectious virus, therefore, shaking hands, coughing and sneezing are regarded as the reasons for the transmission of the virus. As the symptoms remain mild, therefore the people are not usually getting quite sick. However, some people can also experience severe symptoms like chest pain, wheezing, rapid breathing, cyanosis, severe fatigue and dizziness because of the infection of this virus.
Anyone experiencing these kinds of severe symptoms should immediately seek consultation with a doctor. FAIMA Doctors Association also mentioned that at the current time, the situation is under control, and people do not need to be panicked so much for this virus. However, they also recognize the need for integration of presumptive actions by the Ministry of Health.
Diagnosis and treatment
On the basis of symptoms and health history of the people, HMPV is generally diagnosed by healthcare providers. For the detection of the virus, a sample has been taken from the throat and nose of the potentially infected people by using a soft-tipped stick and sent for the lab tests. However, unless having serious symptoms, healthcare providers usually do not test for human metapneumovirus. Chest X-rays or bronchoscopy are also recommended by healthcare providers for the identification of the changes in the lungs’ airways.
Though research has been performed earlier and is still ongoing, there is still not currently any vaccine which can be used against human metapneumovirus. Based on the symptoms, the healthcare providers also often use oxygen therapy, IV Fluids (Intravenous Fluids), and corticosteroids to control the situation for the infected people who are admitted to the hospital.
Preventive measurements
To control the spread of human metapneumovirus and other similar type of respiratory viruses, health experts advise the adoption of the following preventive measures:
- People should pay attention to washing their hands regularly with water and soap for a minimum of 20 seconds. In case of unavailability of soap and water, then alcohol-based hand sanitiser can also be used.
- Maintain social distance from others who have symptoms similar to HMPV or infectious diseases. It should be better to ensure the avoidance of sharing personal items, including towels, soap, bedding, utensils and many others with the sick persons.
- Usage of masks is advisable in crowded areas for the reduction of the spreading of respiratory viruses.
- Individuals should avoid touching their nose, eye, mouth and face.
- During the time of sneezing or coughing, it is advised to use tissue or elbow to cover the mouth and nose.
- If someone has a cough, fever or other flu-like symptoms, they should avoid public places and will be better to stay at home until they recover.
- Eat nutrition-enriched foods and maintain a balanced diet with a focus on staying hydrated.
- Consulting a doctor without self-medication is also recommended to get appropriate treatment.
Comparison of HMPV and Covid-19 in brief
Though human metapneumovirus and Covid-19 are both characterized as respiratory infections and have many similar types of symptoms, they also have certain differentiations. Covid-19 has first appeared in 2019 whereas HMPV was first discovered in 2001. Human metapneumovirus usually causes mild flu-like symptoms, while the severity of the symptoms of Covid-19 is more intense, like loss of smell and taste, high fever, and respiratory failure.
Though it has become possible to invent vaccines for Covid-19, no vaccines have yet been discovered for human metapneumovirus. Covid-19 infections have been seen to be transmitted year-round, while human metapneumovirus is mainly a seasonal virus which primarily appears in winter and spring. However, the mode of transmission of both viruses is quite the same, which is close contact with the infected person.
FAQ
1. What is human metapneumovirus (HMPV)?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), human metapneumovirus has been identified as a respiratory virus which is responsible for symptoms like the common cold. It is not a new virus because it was found to be first identified in 2001 in the Netherlands.
2. What are the common symptoms of HMPV infection?
Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, wheezing, headache, body ache, shortness of breath and rash are included under the common symptoms and signs of the human metapneumovirus infection.
3. How is human metapneumovirus transmitted?
Human metapneumovirus can be spread through close contact with the infected person. People can also be infected by this virus in terms of touching contaminated surfaces such as handles or door knobs.
4. Is there a vaccine for human metapneumovirus?
Though research has been performed earlier and is still ongoing, there is still not currently any vaccine which can be used against human metapneumovirus.
5. What age groups are more susceptible to human metapneumovirus?
While individuals belonging to all age groups can be infected by the virus, young children below the age group of five, older people over 65 age and individuals with poor immune systems and breathing problems are at greater risk of being infected by the virus.
