Should India Be Concerned Amid HMPV Outbreak In China?

China is reeling under immense pressure to control the rapid surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, that has already caused panic in its health regulatory system as videos of overcrowded hospitals keep surfacing across social media platforms.

China has declared a state of emergency, according to several such claims being made on X, however authorities have not taken an official stance on this matter. What's alarming is how long till its spreads and affects countries like India, a south Asian nation with a population of over 1.42 billion.

Is the HMPV surge in China a cause of concern for India?

Dr Hemalata Arora, Senior Consultant for Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases, at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, said, "Yes, any novel virus spreading rapidly in the regions adjacent to ours is a cause of concern, especially considering the ease and frequency of travel between the two countries. 

HMPV cases have only been reported in China as of now, with no cases being detected in India or other Asian countries.

“Clinically HPMV is worrisome since it has the potential to cause pneumonia and bronchitis even in healthy young individuals. Due to seasonal changes and a drop in air quality, we have observed a notable increase in respiratory conditions infections in Mumbai over the past two months,” she said.  

“These conditions are favourable for the spread of any such diseases. We should stress prevention and practice measures such as handwashing, wearing masks, and maintaining a safe distance from ailing individuals who have specifically returned from the affected regions,” Dr Arora said. 

The new virus threat to China's breath

On December 27, China's disease control authority informed that it was on the lookout for pneumonia cases of unknown origin, with respiratory illnesses expected to rise during the winter. They shared data showing an increase in respiratory infections between December 16 and 22.

Kan Biao, a government official, said at a press conference that China is likely to see various respiratory infections during the winter and spring. However, he mentioned that the total number of cases this year is expected to be lower than last year.

Recently, China’s health authorities confirmed that a virus is spreading across the country, which affects people of all ages, however it poses a larger threat to children. 

Also Read: New Virus Cases Surge Across China, Northern Region Worst Affected