New Delhi: The Karnataka Health Department confirmed the first two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Bengaluru today. The cases involve a three-month-old and an eight-month-old child. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), these cases were identified through routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens as part of the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country.
Highlighting the increasing prevalence of HMPV, particularly in vulnerable populations, Dr. Sachin Kumar, Senior Consultant in Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine at Sakra World Hospital, noted, “HMPV, first discovered in 2001, gained recognition in 2016 as a significant cause of respiratory issues in children, second only to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).”
Dr. Kumar explained that HMPV primarily affects the upper respiratory tract in children. While the virus has drawn comparisons to COVID-19 due to similar symptoms, it remains genetically distinct.
Common symptoms of HMPV include fever, cough, and cold, with severe cases potentially progressing to pneumonia. “The virus spreads rapidly and poses a greater risk to high-risk groups, including children under five years, elderly individuals over 65 years, and people with chronic conditions such as COPD, asthma, bronchitis, or weakened immunity,” Dr. Kumar said.
While most cases are self-limiting, with symptoms resolving within three to six days, Dr. Kumar cautioned that some patients might experience lingering effects, such as a persistent cough or runny nose. “Although 85-90 per cent of cases recover at home, 5-10 per cent require hospitalization, and less than 5 per cent result in fatalities, often due to underlying health conditions,” he explained.
Complications arise in 10-15 per cent of lower respiratory tract infections caused by HMPV, leading to severe outcomes like pneumonia. Despite its growing impact, no specific treatment or vaccine currently exists for the virus.
Dr. Kumar stressed the importance of prevention. “Preventive measures such as proper masking, consulting a physician at the onset of symptoms, and self-isolating when symptomatic are crucial to controlling its spread,” he said.
With vulnerable populations at higher risk, experts like Dr. Kumar emphasise the need for awareness and early intervention to mitigate the impact of this respiratory virus.
The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the ICMR, continues to monitor HMPV cases in China. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is also actively providing updates on the outbreak.
