New Delhi:
Amid the growing fear of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), the top medical body – the Indian Council of Medical Research or ICMR – on Monday alerted that the virus is already “in circulation” across the world, including in India. However, he noted that India is well equipped to deal with any potential increase in respiratory diseases.
The ICMR statement comes as Bengaluru reports two cases of HMPV – a 3 month old baby discharged and an 8 month old baby recovering. The Health Ministry has ruled out exposure from other regions or countries, saying the infected infants and their families have no recent travel history.
Both cases have been identified through routine surveillance of several respiratory viral pathogens, it says.
“It is highlighted that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of HMPV-associated respiratory illnesses have been reported in various countries. Furthermore, based on current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network, “There has been no unusual increase in cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) or Illnesses Severe Acute Respiratory Disease (SARI) in the country,” the ICMR said.
He also noted that while the Union Health Ministry was monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels, the ICMR would continue to monitor the trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year.
Earlier, the Center had announced that it was monitoring HMPV and other respiratory viruses following the rise in cases in China. A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) was convened by representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other health organizations, to assess the situation.
The governments of Karnataka and Maharashtra have issued guidelines for citizens. Kerala Health Minister Veena George also advised the elderly and pregnant women to wear masks, adding that there was no need to panic at the moment.
What is HMPV?
HMPV, first discovered in 2001, is a member of the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Symptoms commonly associated with the virus include cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. HMPV can sometimes trigger pneumonia or chronic respiratory illnesses.
It can spread from an infected person to others through coughing, sneezing or personal contact.
Young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing serious illness from HMPV.
