HMPV Outbreak in China: Indian Health Officials Assure No Cause for Alarm

New Delhi: Even as China faces an outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which presents Covid-like symptoms, Indian health officials have stated that there is no need for concern.

As per IANS, media reports and social media posts claim the virus is spreading rapidly in China, five years after the Covid-19 pandemic, with some reports suggesting that hospitals and crematories are being overwhelmed.

Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Atul Goel, reassured the public, saying, "The spread of HMPV in China is like any other respiratory virus." He further emphasized, "There is no need for alarm about the present situation."

According to IANS, Dr. Goel explained that HMPV often causes "flu-like symptoms" and primarily affects the elderly and very young children. He noted that outbreaks of respiratory viruses typically increase in winter and that hospitals are prepared with adequate supplies and beds.

Inputs from IANS reveal that Dr. Goel confirmed there has been no significant increase in respiratory virus outbreaks in India, as per December 2024 data. He advised maintaining standard precautions against respiratory infections, such as avoiding close contact when symptomatic, using personal towels or handkerchiefs, and taking basic medicines for colds or fever.

HMPV, discovered in 2001, belongs to the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The virus can cause upper and lower respiratory illnesses, affecting people of all ages, particularly young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

The symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. The virus reportedly has an incubation period of three to five days.

Chinese CDC data from late December showed fluctuating and increasing positivity rates for HMPV among children aged 14 and below, according to China's state broadcaster CCTV.

Preventive measures include wearing masks, frequent handwashing, and boosting immunity. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend these steps to reduce infection risk.

In 2023, HMPV was detected in several countries, including the Netherlands, Britain, Finland, Australia, Canada, the US, and China, according to IANS. Despite its global presence, Indian health officials remain confident in the country's preparedness.