HMPV Virus: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus is spreading very rapidly in China. Now this virus has slowly started spreading in India also. So far, five cases of this virus have been reported in India. Amidst all this, China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention has informed about the death rate due to the virus.
“Children, immunocompromised populations, and the elderly are susceptible and more likely to be infected with other respiratory viruses,” China’s CDC said. HMPV often causes common cold symptoms, including cough, fever, nasal congestion, and cough. and wheezing, but sometimes in severe cases it can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.”
Who can die from this virus?
The CDC further said, “If a susceptible person has a medical condition, infection with HMPV can lead to death. Based on data from an article published in Lancet Global Health in 2021, if children under five years of age have respiratory infections, there is a one percent chance of death due to HMPV. “There is currently no vaccine or effective drug against HMPV and treatment is mostly aimed at reducing symptoms.”
What will be the impact of this virus in India?
Amid concerns over the outbreak of HMPV in China, Director General of Health Services Dr. Atul Goyal assured the people of the country that there is nothing to be worried about the current situation. He urged people to take general precautions. Speaking to the media, Dr. Goyal emphasized that hospitals are well prepared for respiratory infections.
He said, “HMPV is like any other respiratory virus that causes the common cold. It can cause flu-like symptoms in the very old and very young children. We have collected data on respiratory outbreaks within the country. “In any case, there is no significant increase in the number of respiratory infections in 2024 and our hospitals are fully prepared for this with necessary supplies and beds.”
Also read: After Karnataka-Gujarat, now two new cases of HMPV virus surfaced in Chennai.
