HMPV Outbreak: Two Children Test Positive in Maharashtra's Nagpur, India's Tally Reaches 8

Nagpur: Two more patients have been identified as infected with the HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) in Nagpur, raising the total tally to eight confirmed cases detected so far in the country.

The infected individuals are a 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy who have tested positive for the virus, which emerged from China, similar of COVID-19.

HMPV gained attention after it spiked in China, with a large number of people testing positive for the virus.

While the Karnataka, Gujarat , and Maharashtra governments assured that there was no cause for alarm, the Delhi government directed all hospitals in the capital to remain fully prepared to manage a potential surge in respiratory illnesses. Two of the three cases in India were detected in Karnataka by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.

Nadda Says, ‘Not a New Virus’

With the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Union Health Minister JP Nadda, assured the citizens to not panic stating the virus was not new.

In a briefing on Monday, Nadda said, "The health experts have clarified that HMPV is not a new virus, it was first identified in 2001 and it has been circulating in the entire world for many years. HMPV spreads through the air, by way of respiration."

What id HMPV Virus?

The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms. Studies indicate that it has been circulating in human populations since the 1970s, although it was first identified by scientists in 2001. 

The virus is responsible for 4-16% of acute respiratory infections globally, with cases typically peaking between November and May. While most adults have developed immunity through previous exposure, HMPV can cause more severe symptoms in infants encountering it for the first time and in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Although hMPV shares similarities with other respiratory viruses like RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), measles, and mumps, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment available. Most people recover with rest and hydration, but in severe cases, hospitalization and supportive treatments like oxygen therapy may be necessary.