After China, HMPV cases in India, Hong Kong: Is the scare of another pandemic real?

India has reported two cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Two infants were infected with the virus in Karnataka’s Bengaluru, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday (January 6). One case is also suspected in Gujarat.

This comes amid a surge in HMPV cases in China, leading to overcrowded hospitals and fears of a wider outbreak. The respiratory virus, which causes symptoms similar to a cold, was also detected in Malaysia last year.

Let’s take a closer look.

HMPV and its symptoms

Human metapneumovirus is a respiratory virus of the Pneumoviridae family, of which respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles and mumps are also members. HMPV can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract infections.

First identified by scientists in 2001, the respiratory virus mostly causes mild infections. However, children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to serious illness.

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Its cases are more common in the winter and early spring.

As per Cleveland Clinic, the symptoms of HMPV infection include cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, wheezing, rash, and shortness of breath.

In more severe cases, the symptoms can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia.

The virus spreads through direct contact with an infected person or from touching contaminated surfaces.

Globally, HMPV was responsible for one per cent of deaths linked to acute lower respiratory infection in children under age five in 2018, The Hindu reported citing a 2021 study.

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India has detected two cases of the HMPV virus in Bengaluru, the Union Health Ministry confirmed Monday. While a three-month-old infant has been discharged from the hospital, the other child aged eight months is recovering.

The ministry pointed out that neither of the patients has any history of international travel.

“The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka. Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country,” it said in a statement.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka. Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR's ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses… pic.twitter.com/PtKYmgztKb

— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2025

The health ministry also underlined that there has been “no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases” in India.

Gujarat has also reported a case.

China has recently seen an uptick in HMPV cases , with children being most affected.
The northern provinces reported a rise in infections among children under the age of 14.

As per Reuters, an official statement said there was an increase in acute respiratory diseases in China from December 16 to 22, 2024.

Photos and videos of people wearing masks in hospitals in the Asian country surfaced on social media last week.

Chinese health authorities have imposed emergency measures to monitor and tackle the spread of the virus, reported Independent.

However, Beijing has dismissed concerns about the HMPV outbreak turning into another health crisis like COVID-19.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reportedly said on Friday: “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season”.

“The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year,” she said.

China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration has launched a pilot programme to monitor pneumonia of unknown origin to help labs and health agencies report and manage cases effectively, state broadcaster CCTV reported, quoting an administration official at a news conference.

Malaysia reported 327 cases of HMPV infections last year, a 45 per cent surge from the 225 cases in 2023, reported The Straits Times.

The Malaysian Health Ministry said that a rise in respiratory tract infections at the beginning and end of the year was not uncommon and urged people to take precautions, including wearing masks and washing hands with soap.

“The public is advised to proactively take care of their health and prevent infection to others, especially in enclosed and crowded areas. This includes those planning to travel to countries at risk,” it said in a statement.

Hong Kong has also detected a few cases of HMPV. Neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Taiwan are keeping an eye on the situation.

Cambodia’s Communicable Disease Control Department has issued a warning, highlighting HMPV’s similarity to COVID-19 and influenza.

Can HMPV be the next pandemic?

HMPV is not a new virus. It was first diagnosed in children in 2001 in the Netherlands. It has been previously reported globally, including in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Experts say there is no need to panic.

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) official Dr Atul Goel said, “There has been news doing the rounds about a Metapneumovirus outbreak in China. Let me be very clear on that count. Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus which causes the common cold, and in the very old and the very young it could cause flu-like symptoms.”

“We have analysed data on the respiratory outbreaks within the country. There is no substantial increase in December 2024 data and no cases which have been reported in large numbers from any of our institutions,” he added.

With inputs from agencies