• Source:JND
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HMPV Outbreak: Amid rising concerns over Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in India, two new cases have been reported from Maharashtra's Nagpur, bringing the country's total tally to seven. Earlier, two cases were reported from Bengaluru, Karnataka, on Monday, while another individual tested positive after being hospitalized in Gujarat.

Addressing the situation, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), has assured the public that HMPV is not a cause for panic. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Swaminathan emphasised the importance of prioritizing standard precautions for respiratory illnesses rather t

'HMPvirus is nothing to panic about. It’s a known virus that causes respiratory infections, mostly mild. Rather than jump at detection of every pathogen, we should all take normal precautions when we have a cold: wear a mask, wash hands, avoid crowds, consult a doctor if severe symptoms (sic)," she wrote on X. 

The former chief scientist at the WHO cited data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India’s official medical body, highlighting that HMPV is among several circulating pathogens, including influenza A and B (causing the common cold), SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for COVID-19), and respiratory syncytial virus.

"According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, #HMPV accounts for about 3% of respiratory pathogens detected in the laboratory network, testing ILI and SARI cases. Influenza A & B, SARSCoV2 & RSV are other circulating viruses. No deaths reported in India so far," she wrote on X.

In an interview with NDTV, Swaminathan said that monitoring the number of infections in the country is largely irrelevant, as it depends heavily on the level of testing conducted.

She explained that if large-scale testing were carried out among individuals with respiratory symptoms, thousands of cases of HMPV would likely be detected. Conversely, limited testing would result in only a few cases being identified.

Meanwhile, the ICMR issued a statement confirming that HMPV has been circulating globally, including in India, for some time.

"It is emphasised that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries. Furthermore, based on current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country," ICMR said.