- Experts said- This is not Corona, just a cold and cough. This virus has been around for 25 years.
The increase in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China has created a stir across the world. On Monday, 6 cases of this virus were reported in four states of India including Gujarat. All the patients of this virus are children. Now two new cases of this virus have been reported in Nagpur too.
However, according to experts, this is not a new virus and there is no need to be afraid of it. However, doctors in Surat have clarified that HMPV is not a new disease. Doctors claim that this virus has been present in India for years and many cases of it have been reported in Surat before.
On Monday, a 2-month-old child in Ahmedabad was found infected with Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). The child is from Rajasthan and had reached Ahmedabad for treatment. Earlier, on Monday morning, this virus was found in a 3-month-old girl and an 8-month-old boy in Karnataka.
Both the children were examined at a hospital in Bengaluru. In West Bengal, a five-month-old child has also shown symptoms of this disease. He is undergoing treatment at a private hospital. On the other hand, two children have also been found infected in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. More information about them has not been released yet.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda issued a statement
Union Health Minister JP Nadda released a video statement on Monday and said, ‘No one needs to panic about this virus and we are monitoring it and this is not a new virus, it was first identified in 2001. We are monitoring it and we are ready to take all necessary steps.’
The Union Minister said about this virus, ‘Recently, there have been reports of an increase in HMPV cases in China. The Union Health Ministry, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are keeping a close eye on the situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also paying attention to this and will share its report soon.’
JP Nadda clarified that according to data released by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, there has been no significant increase in any common respiratory viral infection in India.
There have been 15 cases of this in the last eight months and all have recovered.
On January 1, 2025, a 10-month-old girl was confirmed to have the virus. According to doctors, the girl was disabled since birth and used to visit the hospital for treatment from time to time. Considering her condition, the doctors conducted a respiratory panel test, which was found positive for the HMPV virus.
Apart from this, on 13 September 2024, this virus was also found in a 10-month-old baby. Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry said that a three-month-old girl and an eight-month-old boy have tested positive in Bengaluru.
Both were admitted to the hospital due to broncho pneumonia. The girl has been discharged. The boy is also fine. A two-month-old baby tested positive for HMPV at Orange Neonatal and Pediatric Hospital in Chandkheda, Ahmedabad. However, the hospital did not inform the authorities for 10 days. The baby, from a family in Dungarpur, Rajasthan, was brought on 24 December. HMPV was confirmed on 26 December.
The virus is not fatal or serious, HMPV cases have been occurring in winter for years: Dr. Prabhukumar Chellagali, President, IMA, Telangana
There are many misconceptions about the human metapneumovirus. It is not a virus that originated in China, but has been a common winter disease in many countries for decades. It causes respiratory infections. Pneumonia due to this virus in winter is also not a new thing.
Its cases have been reported in the country for a long time. It has suddenly spread rapidly in China. This is why surveillance is necessary. It is important to see that new strains have not been created. Another precaution is to ensure that there is no outbreak. The virus usually affects children up to 24 months or the elderly. The good thing is that it multiplies in the trachea.
In such a situation, there is no scope for rapid spread. Out of 662 cases affected by severe respiratory infections in AIIMS between 2005 and 2007, HMPV was found in 21 i.e. only 3%.
Isolation ward started at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital
The state government has swung into action after a case of HMP virus was reported. Following which an isolation ward has been started for HMPV virus patients in the city’s civil hospital. However, this virus has been around for the last 24 years, so doctors are saying that there is no need to panic.
Health department is prepared, no need to panic: Rishikesh
Health Minister Hrishikesh Patel, who visited Sayaji Hospital and Gotri Hospital in Vadodara on Monday, said that there is no need to panic about the virus at present. The system is ready to fight the virus.
Gujarat government issues advisory regarding HMP virus
What to do if symptoms appear?
- Drink more water and eat nutritious food.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Avoid going to public places if you have a fever, cough, or sneeze.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use sanitizer.
What not to do if symptoms appear?
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth unless necessary.
- An infected person should ensure that personal items such as towels, handkerchiefs, or other utensils do not come into contact with or be used by another person.
- Avoid self-medication, contact a health worker if symptoms worsen.
4% of people in India are infected with HMPV every year: Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, former epidemiologist, ICMR
Our laboratory studies have found that 4% of people in India get infected with HMPV every year. So don’t panic without reason. An atmosphere is being created on social media that flights to China should be cancelled immediately, and screening should be started at the airport.
It is important to note that HMPV does not mean Corona. ‘HMPV’ infection is detected in the examination of winter, cough or fever. If someone gets it, it is not taken into account. HMPV infection is common, which occurs in winter. Common symptoms are cold, cough, fever. Many people do not even know when they get infected, because it is not dangerous at all.
Care is necessary for those who are infected. Children under 5 years of age and elderly people over 60 years of age infected with HMPV should be taken care of.
Symptoms like corona
People are panicking because of patients coming from China. Basically, there is no reason to panic. It is not fatal or serious, so no research has been done on it. Earlier on 31 December 2019, China had publicly disclosed for the first time in the Lancet journal that there was a corona infection there. A survey conducted in China in December revealed that only 4% of the people were infected with HMPV. (According to a conversation with Atul Pethkar)
All private hospitals in the city will have to provide details of child patients to the municipality.
To inform about HMPV disease, a meeting was held in the municipality under the chairmanship of the Commissioner, D. Commissioner (Health-Hospital), Health Officer and all Deputy Health Officers, Asst. Medical Officer of Health and other nodal officers.
In which, all the medical officers of all the urban health centers, urban community health centers and urban health and wellness centers were connected through video conference and all were given information about the symptoms, laboratory tests and treatment of HMPV.
HMPV virus also appeared in 2001-02.
The health official said, ‘The HMPV virus also came in 2001-02, all private hospitals in the city will have to provide details of child patients to the municipality.’ According to information provided by WHO, NCDC and the Government of India, cases have also been seen in some states of India, while HMPV is similar to other respiratory viruses, which are seen especially in young children and the elderly during winter and its symptoms include common cold and flu.
The health department of the municipality has analyzed the data on respiratory infectious diseases, which did not find any significant increase in December 2024 compared to December 2023. The Health and Family Welfare Department has appealed to the citizens to follow the rules of dos and don’ts to protect against respiratory infectious diseases.
What not to do :-
- Avoid self-medication, contact the health department immediately if symptoms worsen
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth unless necessary.
- An infected person should take special care to ensure that personal items such as towels, handkerchiefs, or other utensils do not come into contact with or be used by another person.
- Since caution is the key to safety, these guidelines must be followed.
What to do :-
- Stay away from crowded places, keep an arm’s length distance from anyone with flu at home or at work.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use sanitizer.
- Avoid going to public places if you have a fever or cold.
- Drink more water and eat nutritious food.
- Get enough sleep for the immune system.
- Stay in an environment with proper ventilation to prevent the spread of diseases.
- Wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, and stay away from crowded places.
- If you experience respiratory symptoms, stay home. Limit contact with others and contact the nearest government hospital immediately.