The Union Ministry maintained that while China has reported a rise in respiratory illness, particularly HMPV, India hasn’t registered any unusual spike in winter respiratory diseases. Representational file image
| Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
The Health Ministry has said that it’s closely monitoring cases of respiratory and seasonal influenza in the country amid the scare over the alleged outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, five years after the COVID pandemic.
The Union Ministry maintained that while China has reported a rise in respiratory illness, particularly HMPV, India hasn’t registered any unusual spike in winter respiratory diseases. China is experiencing a rise in HMPV cases, particularly in children under 14 and symptoms include cough, fever, and shortness of breath, with potential complications like bronchitis and pneumonia. The country has registered rising cases of this respiratory virus in Northern Provinces, reported Reuters. Cases of HMPV have been reported in 2011-12 in the USA, Canada, and Europe.
Also read | Understanding Human Metapneumovirus, as cases emerge from China: Explained
The Union Health Ministry’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is closely monitoring respiratory and seasonal influenza cases in the country and is in touch with international agencies for this matter, noted a senior official.
Meanwhile, Directorate General of Health Services Atul Goel told reporters on Friday (January 3, 2025) that no cases of the respiratory illness — HMPV — has been reported in the country yet. Stating that the Union Government was closely monitoring news about the possible HMPV outbreak in China he added that as of now the Central Government sees no cause for alarm. “HMPV is like any other respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms mostly in elders and children,” said Dr. Goel, adding that respiratory illnesses are common during winters and that hospitals in India are equipped to deal with them. “Special medicines are not needed because there are no anti-viral drugs against this. There are no major cases, neither in hospitals nor as per Indian Council of Medical Research data,’’ he added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health agency of the United States, HMPV can cause upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages, especially among young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Discovered in 2001, HMPV is in the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Broader use of molecular diagnostic testing has increased identification and awareness of HMPV as an important cause of upper and lower respiratory infection.
Symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Clinical symptoms of HMPV infection may progress to bronchitis or pneumonia and are like other viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory infections. The estimated incubation period is 3 to 6 days, and the median duration of illness can vary depending upon severity but is like other respiratory infections caused by viruses.
HMPV is most likely spread from an infected person to others through — secretions from coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, touching objects or surfaces that have the viruses on them then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. In the U.S., HMPV circulates in distinct annual seasons. HMPV circulation begins in winter and lasts until or through spring.
Published – January 03, 2025 08:15 pm IST
