Mumbai, January 13: Three recent cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been confirmed in the country, involving two infants from Karnataka and one from Gujarat. These cases have raised eyebrows and sparked concerns, especially considering a surge in HMPV infections reported in China, which comes five years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, both infants diagnosed in Bengaluru—a three-month-old girl and a eight-month-old boy—do not have a history of recent international travel. They were both admitted to Baptist Hospital, each displaying troubling symptoms consistent with pneumonia. Fortunately, the girl has been discharged and is on the path to recovery, while the boy is still under medical care but improving.
To date, there have been seven or eight cases reported in India, depending upon which publication or website you are looking at Only Zee Media has reported 17 cases but these are doubtful. Initially, mainstream media went on the offensive, raising fears about a Covid-type outbreak. In response to these developments, numerous states, including bustling Delhi and the proactive Karnataka, have taken the initiative to issue directives and advisories, outlining precautionary measures aimed at safeguarding public health. To address the incipient panic, health experts unanimously assert that there is no cause for alarm or panic among the general population.
HMPV is a respiratory virus that was first identified in 2001 and belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which includes other well-known viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This virus is notorious for causing upper and lower respiratory infections, with symptoms that closely mimic those of the common cold or flu. While it can affect anyone, it poses a particularly serious threat to vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Esteemed virologist Raman Gangakhedkar highlighted in a discussion with the Economic Times that HMPV is responsible for approximately 5-10% of all respiratory infections during the winter months. He reassured the public, stating, “This virus has been already circulating in India, and there is no need to panic or stop air travel.”

However, due to the rapid mutation of RNA viruses like HMPV, he noted that it remains uncertain whether the strain currently circulating in India is the same as that seen in China.. Typically, the duration of the infection ranges from three to five days, with the virus flourishing during the colder winter and spring months—much like the familiar cold or flu. It is crucial to emphasize that HMPV should not be conflated with COVID-19. Most individuals have likely encountered this virus at some point in their lives, distinguishing it from COVID-19, which was unprecedented.
Currently, there is no vaccine available for HMPV, and many experts assert that one may not be necessary. According to Gautam Menon, a professor of physics and biology at Ashoka University, individuals simply need to maintain common-sense precautions: avoiding close contact with others when exhibiting cold-like symptoms, practicing diligent hand hygiene, adhering to proper cough etiquette, and wearing a face mask in public spaces.
Cardiologist K. Srinath Reddy added that especially young children and elderly individuals might experience more severe symptoms akin to those seen in patients with heart or lung-related conditions. The health ministry has been proactive in reassuring the public that there is no immediate cause for concern. They are closely monitoring the situation and have not observed a sudden spike in infections.
On Friday, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) announced that the country is well-prepared to manage any potential rise in HMPV cases, equipped with the necessary medical supplies and hospital beds. Furthermore, the health ministry has reached out to the World Health Organization (WHO) for timely updates regarding the evolving situation in China and beyond, ensuring that the public remains informed and protected.
- Explainer: Why we don’t need to panic over the HMPV virus - January 14, 2025