Outbreak of HMPV virus like Covid in China: Amid growing global concerns about a possible coronavirus-like outbreak in China, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar has dismissed the possibility of another pandemic. “There is no need to be concerned about human metapneumovirus (HMPV) until any global health agency reports a genetic mutation,” the health expert said. He said that children below 5 years of age remain at risk of virus infection.
“The (HMPV) virus, in its current form, is unlikely to cause serious infection,” the health expert said. news18,
HMPV virus: how does it spread?
HMPV is spread mainly through close contact with an infected person or touching contaminated surfaces. It usually manifests as cold-like symptoms, which usually resolve on their own within 2 to 5 days.
Most cases of hMPV occur in children 5 years of age or younger, and while a small percentage (5–16 percent) may develop lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, most infections remain mild.
Dr. Gangakhedkar said that HMPV has been in existence for many years, but other viruses like influenza A and H1N1 have attracted more attention due to their high lethality.
The health expert also said, “This is because the severity of HMPV is not high. hMPV can only harm young children under five years of age who have not yet been exposed or who have a weakened immune system, and that too in rare scenarios.
Covid-like HMPV virus outbreak: Are Indians at risk?
According to Dr. Gangakhedkar, the mortality rate associated with HMPV is not very high and is less studied because it rarely causes deaths. “Mortality has not been well studied because it rarely causes deaths,” he said.
The health expert also told the media house that cross-sectional surveys show that 4 to 15 percent of the Indian population has antibodies against HMPV.
“This means that the Indian population aged five to 65 years is being exposed to this viral infection year after year, which spreads like any other common flu and disease. Therefore, we are already protected from the so-called anticipated outbreak,” he said.
Dr. Suresh Gupta, pediatrician of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told the news agency PTI“This is not a new virus, it is an old virus, it has been known for more than 20 years. It comes especially in the winter season, it is like influenza virus, common viral fever. In most cases its symptoms This is what happens.” Cold, cough, fever, and they get cured at home with normal medicine, children who have this infection do not need to be hospitalized.
HMPV can cause both upper and lower respiratory diseases in all age groups. However, it is more likely to increase in conditions such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis or pneumonia.
Although having a history of lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema does not increase the chance of getting HMPV, these conditions can worsen the severity of symptoms once infected.
