- By Abhishek Sheoran
- Tue, 07 Jan 2025 09:23 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Two more children have tested positive for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, taking the tally in India to seven. The children aged 7 and 13 years complained of cough and fever, after which they were tested for the viral infection.
On Monday, as many as five cases of HMPV were detected in India. Four cases were found in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu while one case was reported from Gujarat.
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Union Health Minister JP Nadda said there was nothing to worry about and HMPV was not a new virus, urging people to avoid fear-mongering.
“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 since many years. HMPV spreads through air, by way of respiration. This can affect persons of all age groups. The virus spreads more during the winter and the early spring months,” JP Nadda said.
“On recent reports, the cases of HMPV in China, the Health Ministry, the ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control are keeping a close watch on the situation in China as well as in the neighbouring countries,” he added.
The detection of HMPV cases in India fuelled an outrage on social media with #lockdown fervidly trending on X.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that can cause infections, particularly in young children, elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems. It belongs to the Metapneumovirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family. HMPV was first identified in 2001 and is a common cause of respiratory illnesses such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia and upper respiratory tract infections.
Its symptoms may include cough, fever, nasal congestion, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can lead to hospitalisation, particularly in vulnerable populations.
