The Union ministry claimed that while China has reported a surge in respiratory diseases, particularly HMPV, India has not seen any unusual spike in respiratory diseases during winter. Representative file image | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Union Health Ministry on Friday said it is closely monitoring the suspected human metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China. The ministry claimed that while China has reported a surge in respiratory illnesses, particularly HMPV, India has not recorded any unusual spike in respiratory illnesses during winter.

Five years into the COVID pandemic, China is seeing a rise in HMPV cases, particularly among children under 14 years old. Symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath, with possible complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The country has seen a surge in cases in its northern provinces. Reuters had reported. In 2011 and 2012, cases of HMPV were reported in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

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The ministry’s National Center for Disease Control is closely monitoring respiratory and seasonal flu cases in the country and is in touch with international authorities, a senior official noted.

Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services Atul Goel told reporters on Friday that no case of respiratory disease HMPV has been reported in the country so far. He stated that the Union government is closely following the news about the possible HMPV outbreak in China, adding that there is no cause for alarm at present. “HMPV is like any other respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms, especially in the elderly and children,” said Dr. Goel, adding that respiratory diseases are common during winters and hospitals in India are equipped to deal with them. “There is no need for special medication as there are no antiviral drugs for it. “There are no major cases either in hospitals or according to the Indian Council of Medical Research,” he added.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HMPV can cause upper and lower respiratory tract illnesses in people of all ages, especially young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Discovered in 2001, HMPV belongs to the Pneumoviridae family along with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Wider use of molecular diagnostic testing has increased the identification and awareness of HMPV as an important cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections.

Symptoms commonly associated with the virus include cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. The clinical symptoms of HMPV infection can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia and are similar to those of other viral infections that cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections. The estimated incubation period is three to six days, and the mean duration of illness may vary depending on severity, but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses.

Transmission of HMPV from an infected person to others most likely occurs through secretions from coughing and sneezing, as well as through close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands, touching objects or surfaces on which the viruses are present, before touching the mouth, nose, or eyes .

In the United States, HMPV circulates during certain seasons. HMPV circulation begins in winter and continues until or until spring.