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PremiumHMPV Case Highlights: Several state governments have heightened their surveillance amid rising cases of respiratory illnesses, especially those due to Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). Reports of HMPV outbreak in China have also raised concern for another health emergency. In India, at least eight HMPV cases have been detected. On Thursday, an 80-year-old man tested positive for the infection in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat.
Health Minister JP Naddaearlier said that HMPV is not a new virus and asked people not to worry about it. He also urged the public to take precautions to avoid getting infected with viral infections, which are on the rise during the winter season.
HMPV cases in India tally
At least nine cases of HMPV infection have been reported from India since January 7. Initially, HMPV cases were reported in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. On the same day, Gujarat confirmed another case, followed by two additional cases reported in Nagpur, Maharashtra. On Wednesday, another HMPV case was confirmed in Mumbai. One more case was reported from Ahmedadad on Thursday.
HMPV infection is not new in India. Several HMPV cases were reported in December as well. Earlier, the former World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan, told NDTV that keeping a tally of ‘HMPV cases in India’ is meaningless.
HMPV Case LIVE: A seasonal rise in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and other Asian countries has raised alarms worldwide. The detection of multiple HMPV cases in India has put government authorities on their toes.
While experts term the HMPV surge seasonal, rising viral infections can dampen sentiment around international travel during the holiday season. Amid rising HMPV infections in several countries, it is crucial to understand how travel insurance can help people navigate medical emergencies during their foreign trips. READ MORE
HMPV Case LIVE: Karnataka minister MC Sudhakar said that The health ministry is serious about HMPV, which is a regular virus and is not as deadly as COVID.
"BJP has no job other than trying to find issues. Our Minister for Health Education has already alerted the officers who are monitoring the districts. The HMPV symptoms are normal during cold climate," reported ANI quoting Sudhakar.
HMPV Case LIVE: According to a study ‘Human Metapneumovirus in Adults,' published by the National Library of Medicine, several ‘in vitro’(controlled) and animal studies had been conducted to investigate the development of an HMPV vaccine. However, no human studies have been performed yet and no vaccine is available up till now. READ MORE
HMPV Case LIVE: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement on the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) as it continues to wreck havoc in China with several other countries, too, reporting a number of cases.
“China has a sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections. According to the Chinese CDC data, the pathogens causing these infections are known ones and they include the seasonal influenza virus," said WHO. READ MORE
HMPV Case LIVE: HMPV virus was found in 2001 and is still found today. It is one of the many viruses that are found in the respiratory system. An advisory has been issued by the Gujarat government, said Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel.
Gujarat has reported three cases so far.
HMPV Case LIVE: HMPV, discovered in 2001, belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family. It is closely related to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces or coming into direct contact with infected individuals.
HMPV Case LIVE: An eight-year-old boy from Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district has contracted human metapneumovirus infection, taking the number of HMPV cases in the state to three, an official said on Friday.
The child, who is currently admitted to a private hospital in Himmatnagar town, had been considered a suspected HMPV case until now.
The Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday that it had maintained close communication with the World Health Organization on respiratory diseases, when asked about cases of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China.
The Chinese government takes the health of its people and that of foreign nationals in China seriously, but the HMPV is not a new virus and has been circulating in humans for more than 60 years, Guo Jiakun, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a regular news conference.
In its latest report, China's Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said HMPV cases remained at high levels.
World Health Organisation (WHO) shared the trends of acute respiratory infection, including human metapneumovirus (HMP virus) in the Northern Hemisphere and noted that the rate of increase of virus infections follows the usual trends.
In its disease outbreak news, WHO observed that while the trends in acute respiratory infections are increasing in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, these are not unusual and are "typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other common respiratory viruses, including human metapneumovirus (hMPV), as well as mycoplasma pneumonia". It further added that the co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens during the winter season can sometimes cause an increased burden on healthcare systems treating sick persons.
Mentioning the HMPV virus, the WHO said, "HMPV is a common respiratory virus found to circulate in many countries in winter through to spring, although not all countries routinely test and publish data on trends in HMPV. While some cases can be hospitalized with bronchitis or pneumonia, most people infected with hMPV have mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold and recover after a few days."
It is transmitted through droplets or aerosols produced by coughing and sneezing, similar to flu. The virus can also spread through close contact with an infected person or by touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
HMPV is essentially a viral infection. It is a seasonal disease that occurs during winters and springs. Its symptoms are very similar to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu.
In the US, HMPV circulates in distinct annual seasons. US CDC says, "HMPV circulation begins in winter and lasts until or through spring."
On the other hand, China's CDC explained the virus can be detected throughout the year. Howver, the detection rate is highest in winter and spring.
The HMPV is extremely common and ussually it does not cause any severe infection. However, it poses a significant risk to vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
The HMPV is responsible for causing viral infections and respiratory illnesses such as colds and coughs. It belongs to the Pneumoviridae, Metapneumovirus genus. HMPV is an enveloped single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus.
Reiterating that HMPV is not a new virus, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel says, "HMPV virus was found in 2001 and is still found today. It is one of the many viruses that are found in the respiratory system. An advisory has been issued by the Gujarat government."
In case it gets serious, HMPV infection can cause severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children, and its symptoms are indistinguishable from those caused by human respiratory syncytial virus.
Complications associated with HMPV include pneumonia, bronchiolitis, worsened respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bacterial pneumonia.
As HMPV triggered Covid-like sentiments among people, World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement saying “Human metapneumovirus, hMPV is not a new virus", adding that it generally spreads in winter and spring.
Terming it a seasonal virus, the WHO said the HMPV was first identified in 2001 and has been in the human population for a long time. “It is a common virus that circulates in winter and spring. It usually causes respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold," the health body said.
HMPV is not a new virus and more than 200 cases were registered from Indiabetween January and December last year, senior government scientists said.
The virus has been reported every year in India, and there is no unusual increase in cases in the country. Further, the country’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) is also not showing any surge in respiratory diseases, they said on the condition of anonymity.
The virus, which was first isolated in 2001, is just like any other respiratory virus that spreads through air, entering the body via nose, mouth, or eyes after one comes in close contact with an infected person. In India, the virus was first detected in 2003, a livemint report said
Prevention is essential for avoiding HMPV virus. People should take general precautions that we use against all respiratory infections. Check here:
If someone has a cough and cold, they should avoid contact with others to prevent the spread of infection.
Use a separate hanky or towel for coughing or sneezing.
Take medicine required for cold or fever as prescribed by a doctor.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
Clean commonly used surfaces like doorknobs and toys.
Stay indoors if you are sick.
If you and your children show cold-like symptoms, practice good respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing.
Avoid sharing utensils and other personal items with others.
Avoid direct contact, such as shaking hands or hugging.
Eat a balanced diet, get appropriate sleep, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Avoid going to crowded places.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
Exercise regularly to boost immunity.
HMPV ussually causes mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, such as cough and congestion. It can lead to more severe complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, for those who have weaker immunity. Check few common symptoms:
cough
fever
wheezing
difficulty in breathing,
high fever
dehydration
chills
running nose
Himachal Pradesh government has issued directives for HMPV to ensure preparedness across the state. The directive stated to implement the Union Health Ministry's advisory
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhaniram Shandil stated that there is no imminent threat from the virus and assured the public that it is a common respiratory virus primarily affecting young children and the elderly.
"We have no cases of the HMPV virus in Himachal Pradesh so far, but we are fully prepared. There is no reason to panic. This is a common virus, and its impact is minimal. People should not be afraid," said Shandil.
As per the Union government's guidelines, the state health department has alerted healthcare institutions at every level, from primary health centres to district hospitals. All healthcare personnel, including Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), have been instructed to remain vigilant.
"We are monitoring everything closely. If people exhibit symptoms or respiratory issues, appropriate measures will be taken," he added.
Pankaj Chhabra, Clinical Director-Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad HMPV can turn serious for people with underlying health conditions and young children under the age of five years, particularly those born prematurely.
“People with chronic respiratory issues (asthma, COPD, or other lung conditions) may undergo worsened symptoms or prolonged recovery. HMPV can put young children at risk of bronchiolitis or pneumonia. In severe cases, hospitalisation and oxygen support may be required."
Explaining the HMPV, Dr Pankaj Chhabra, Clinical Director-Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad said, it is like any other respiratory illness.
“It can cause upper or lower respiratory symptoms such as common cold, cough, fever, wheezing, difficulty breathing, high fever, dehydration, chills, and running nose. It can cause flu-like symptoms in elderly and very young children. It can also cause bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and young children."
China's noted on Thusday though the rate of influenza virus in the country has shown signs of slowing, the overall cases of acute respiratory infectious diseases continued to rise.
In its latest report, the China CDC said that human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a common respiratory infection, remains at high levels.
A 56-year-old woman patient is suspected to be infected to be infected with the HMPV virus by "Charak Hospital". However, doctors refuses the claim saying her diagnosis was done without any supportive evidence.
"The reports saying that a positive case of HMPV virus has been found in Balrampur Hospital is completely incorrect (as of now). Such claims are baseless because the patient has a history of diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid. She has been undergoing treatment for a cold and cough for the last 1.5 months. Her diagnoses as HMPV positive patient has been done by Charak Hospital, but there is no paperwork to support the claims. This is beyond our understanding. We have admitted the patient and we are trying to confirm," SP Chaudhary, Director of Balarampur Hospital, told ANI.
"We will only be able to tell about the diagnoses of the patient after the results for the sample come back from King George's Medical University," he added.
HMPV Case LIVE: An 80-year-old man tested positive for human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in Ahmedabad. He was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday and his samples tested positive for HMPV on Thursday.
The patient is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital and he does not have any travel history abroad, reported PTI quoting a statement issued by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).
The man has been suffering from asthma for some time and his condition is stable at present, it said.
HMPV Case LIVE: China's Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Thursday that while the rate of influenza virus in the country has shown signs of slowing, the overall cases of acute respiratory infectious diseases continued to rise, reported Reuters
In its latest report, the China CDC said that human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a common respiratory infection, remains at high levels.
HMPV Case LIVE: WHO recommends that individuals in areas where it is winter take normal precautions to prevent the spread and reduce risks posed by respiratory pathogens, especially to the most vulnerable.
— People with mild symptoms should stay home to avoid infecting other people and rest.
— People at high risk or with complicated or severe symptoms should seek medical care as soon as possible.
— Individuals should also consider wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow,
— Practice regular handwashing, and get recommended vaccines as per physician and local public health authorities’ advice.
HMPV Case LIVE: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in temperate climates, seasonal epidemics of common respiratory pathogens, including influenza, occur often during winter periods.
The observed increases in acute respiratory infections and associated pathogen detections in many countries in the Northern hemisphere in recent weeks is expected at this time of year and is not unusual. The co-circulation of respiratory pathogens may pose a burden to health facilities.
HMPV Case LIVE: A technical committee has been formed in Chhattisgarh to monitor the status of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection.
"The committee is headed by Director of Epidemic Control Dr S K Pambhoi and will make necessary suggestions and issue guidelines regarding prevention, awareness and future action plan against HMPV infection. The panel will submit its report from time to time to the state's Health Department," the official said.
HMPV Case LIVE: Nearly 10 cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been reported in India so far. Concerns are being raised about the possible effects of this common respiratory virus beyond the lungs. Although HMPV and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, doctors stress that HMPV is not a novel virus and has been around for decades. READ MORE
HMPV Case LIVE: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement on the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) as it continues to wreck havoc in China with several other countries, too, reporting a number of cases. In a statement, Margaret Harris of the WHO said, “Human metapneumovirus, hMPV is not a new virus", adding that it generally spreads in winter and spring. READ MORE
HMPV Case LIVE: Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar reassured the public that the state health department is working efficiently in this matter and no one has to worry about it.
"We have mentioned this earlier too that this variant is not strong. We have dealt with problematic viruses like corona. Our health department is working efficiently in this matter. No one has to worry," said Prakash Abitkar.
HMPV Case LIVE: The World Health Organisation (WHO) shared the trends of acute respiratory infection, including human metapneumovirus (HMP virus) in the Northern Hemisphere and noted that the rate of increase of virus infections follows the usual trends.
In its disease outbreak news, WHO observed that while the trends in acute respiratory infections are increasing in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, these are not unusual and are “typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)."
HMPV Case LIVE: As the concerns over the HPMVvirus grows, a 56-year-old woman patient was found to be infected with the HMPV virus by "Charak Hospital". However, the director of Balrampur Hospital in the state's capital has refuted the claims, saying that her diagnosis was done without any supportive evidence.
HMPV Case LIVE: unjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh Wednesday reviewed the preparedness against human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
No case of the respiratory disease has been reported in the state and there is no need to panic, he said.
During his visit to Rajindra Hospital here, the minister emphasised that HMPV was not as severe as the COVID-19 virus.
HMPV Case LIVE: WHO shared the trends of acute respiratory infection, including HMPV in the Northern Hemisphere and noted that the rate of increase of virus infections follows the usual trends.
In its disease outbreak news, WHO observed that while the trends in acute respiratory infections are increasing in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, these are not unusual and are "typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens.
HMPV Case LIVE: Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at Britain's University of East Anglia, said that "almost every child will have at least one infection with HMPV by their fifth birthday".
Many people catch the virus several times over the course of their lives, he said.
HMPV Case LIVE: The coronavirus that causes Covid-19 was unknown when it first emerged in humans in late 2019.
That meant people had never been exposed to it and had no immunity, raising the risk of severe illness.
In contrast, HMPV has been circulating for decades and people around the world already have some protection against it.
The virus "is part of the cocktail of winter viruses that we are exposed to", Tregoning said.
HMPV Case LIVE: Public health advice for HMPV is similar to that for flu, said John Tregoning, professor in vaccine immunology at Imperial College London.
"Protecting yourself by being in well-ventilated (spaces), covering your mouth when you cough (and) washing your hands will all help," he said.
Infected people should "rest, take on fluids (and) try not to spread it to others".
HMPV Case LIVE: Vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems may have more severe symptoms.
HMPV Case LIVE: HMPV stands for "human metapneumovirus" and generally causes a mild upper respiratory tract infection.
It spreads via person-to-person contact or when someone touches a contaminated surface.
Common symptoms include coughing, fever and a blocked nose -- very similar to many types of cold and flu.
HMPV Case LIVE: World Health Organisation (WHO) official, Margaret Harris said that the rise observed in the number of common respiratory infections, is 'common' during winter and spring.
She further added that according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the pathogens causing the disease are "known ones."
"There has indeed been a rise in the number of common respiratory infections in the country. And this is entirely expected during the winter. China has a sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness and severe respiratory infections," she said.
HMPV Case LIVE: Amid concerns surrounding the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Wednesday reassured the public that the state health department is working efficiently in this matter and no one has to worry about it.
He reiterated that this variant of HMPV is not that strong and the nation has already dealt with problematic viruses like corona.
Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said, "We have mentioned this earlier too that this variant is not strong. We have dealt with problematic viruses like corona. Our health department is working efficiently in this matter. No one has to worry..."
HMPV Case LIVE: Jammu and Kashmir Health Department on Wednesday said that there is no need to panic in view of concerns related HMPV.
At the same time it has asked people to take proactive measures to respond to any potential outbreak. "There is no need to panic. The entire machinery is fully geared up to deal with any situation," a health department officer said.
HMPV Case LIVE: It is worth noting that HMPV cases are not new in India, and there were HMPV cases in India in December as well. Earler, the former World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan told NDTV that there is no meaning of keeping a tally of ‘HMPV cases in India’.
HMPV Case LIVE: WHO : Amid concerns surrounding the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus, WHO official, Margaret Harris, has said that rising HMPV cases in China is a normal phenomenon during winter season.
"There has indeed been a rise in a number of common respiratory infections in the country. And this is entirely expected during the winter. China has a sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness and severe respiratory infections," she said.
