‘Self-Limiting’ HMPV Virus Not New To India, No Need To Panic, Says Karnataka Health Minister

Last Updated:January 06, 2025, 17:29 IST

Allaying fears, Dinesh Gundu Rao told News18 that HMPV was an existing virus, with a certain percentage of the population routinely contracting it

Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao holds a meeting on the HMPV cases. (News18)

The HMPV strain found in two cases in Bengaluru in an eight-month-old male and another three-month-old female will not be sent to Pune’s National Institute of Virology for detailed testing since it’s a known virus, Karnataka’s health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has told News18.

Bengaluru has reported two cases of suspected HMPV infection in infants, both of whom have no travel history. The Union health ministry said the two cases were detected in Karnataka following routine surveillance.

Allaying fears, Rao said HMPV was an existing virus, with a certain percentage of the population routinely contracting it. The infants who are affected are locals and have no travel history, either to China or Malaysia.

“The baby is stable. China’s outbreak is a new variant of HMPV. We don’t have the full details and the government of India is yet to give us more details. Maybe they are trying to get more information. China could be a new strain, but the HMPV strain we see in India has been there before and causes common symptoms like cold, influenza, and cough. It is a self-limiting virus and goes away after some time,” said Rao.

The male baby was admitted on January 2 with signs of viral infection, fever, and breathlessness, said officials.

The health report of the child, accessed by News18, says that the R6 Biofire Respiratory Panel testing for viruses and few bacteria returned positive for Human Metapneumovirus and Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus.

The laboratory testing of the child was initiated on January 2 at 12.28pm and the confirmation of the ‘suspected’ virus was received on January 3 at 1.22pm.

The report said Multiplex PCR testing detected microbial RNA/DNA consistent with the HMPV virus in the baby.

“Human Metapneumovirus and Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus detected. Multiplex PCR testing detects microbial RNA/DNA in specimens containing the same organisms when it is present at significant levels in the above background,” the report stated.

Soon after, the hospital authorities flagged the case to state health officials, who have now swung into action and sent the sample for further testing to NIV, Pune.

“I don’t think one should be calling this the first case of HMPV in India. That is the wrong way of reporting it. This virus has been there, the doctors have tested for this particular one and detected it, that’s all,” Rao said, referring to the case of the eight-month-old male baby.

According to the Karnataka health minister, there is no need to panic but people should remain alert.

“We are discussing with ICMR and the government of India to chalk out our first steps,” he said.

The health department is also planning a detailed protocol for all virus testing in the state as multiple respiratory viruses are circulating. There is an urgent need to keep a watch on any such developments and ensure that necessary health protocols, enhanced testing, and control measures are initiated so that there is no chance of an outbreak.

Rao, after a series of meetings with top officials of the health department to evaluate the situation, has assured that there is no cause for panic over the detection of HMPV cases in the state.

He advised people to maintain regular sanitisation practices, such as washing hands frequently, monitoring cold and fever symptoms, and maintaining personal hygiene to avoid infections. “This is not a new virus, and there is no need to panic, just remain alert,” he said.

Rao reiterated that the state government is in regular touch with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Union health ministry to chalk out any necessary steps, if need be.

‘Don’t panic, be aware’

The ministry of medical education and the department of health and family welfare, under which government hospitals operate, have also issued an advisory to raise awareness about HMPV.

The advisory issued by medical education minister Sharan Prakash Patil urged people to remain calm and informed, stating: “Do not panic. Be aware.”

Human Metapneumovirus is a respiratory virus that primarily affects children, causing infections similar to the common cold. Most people contract the virus before the age of five.

“The virus is not as transmissible as Covid-19 and most cases are mild and do not require hospitalisation,” it added.

Health authorities have assured that the Karnataka government, along with the Indian government, is monitoring the situation closely and that there has been no significant rise in HMPV cases across the country based on the latest data.

There is no cause for alarm, but the government is advising the public to take basic precautions to prevent infections. Treatment for HMPV focuses on alleviating symptoms as there is currently no specific antiviral or vaccine for the virus. Patients are advised to rest, stay hydrated, and take over-the-counter medications for fever, pain, and congestion to manage symptoms.

Symptoms to look out for

According to Karnataka government health officials, the first strain of HMPV was discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands. It belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, is a single-stranded RNA virus, and spreads through respiratory droplets.

The virus causes flu-like symptoms, including cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets, close personal contact, and by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.

The advisory has directed hospitals across Karnataka to report all cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), ensure the availability of essential medications, and maintain proper documentation of suspected cases.

Key preventive measures

The government advisory has also listed key preventive measures, such as covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, washing hands regularly with soap and water, avoiding public places if experiencing symptoms, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals. It has also recommended avoiding the reuse of tissue papers or handkerchiefs, not sharing towels or linens, minimising touching the eyes, nose, and mouth, and wearing masks in crowded areas to reduce the risk of transmission.

News india ‘Self-Limiting’ HMPV Virus Not New To India, No Need To Panic, Says Karnataka Health Minister

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