HMPV Virus Update: No Need for Panic, India Remains Vigilant

The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus that causes illnesses globally, has been detected in India, but health officials have assured the public that the situation is being closely monitored without causing widespread concern.

• Union Health Minister JP Nadda emphasized that there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases, and India’s health systems and surveillance networks remain vigilant. The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) continue to track trends of the virus.
• Despite cases being reported globally, including in China, the health ministry and WHO are on high alert, but there is no reason for panic. The virus is not new, having been first identified in 2001. It spreads through respiratory droplets and can affect all age groups, with an increased transmission during colder months.
• Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister, Dr. Sharan Prakash, reassured the public that two cases were detected in Bengaluru, but they are mild, with one child discharged and the other recovering well. He urged the public to avoid panic.
• Maharashtra Health Minister, Prakash Abitkar, echoed the sentiment, stating that there is no cause for concern despite media buzz. He advised residents to follow the guidelines from the state and central health departments.
• Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj noted the worrying fact that the two cases detected in Karnataka had no travel history, raising concerns that the virus could be spreading locally.
• Public Health Director Dr. Nilakantha Mishra stressed that the virus is moderately transmissible and not highly contagious. Heightened surveillance remains the key focus, with the government well-prepared to handle any situation.
• Dr. Rohan Krishnan, Chief Patron of FAIMA, explained that HMPV belongs to the same virus family as influenza and COVID-19, and its prevention is similar—using masks, maintaining physical distance, and isolating during symptoms like fever or cold.

In the face of these developments, India continues to stay on top of the situation, ensuring timely interventions if needed, with ongoing surveillance and preparedness drills.

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