All measures in place to tackle HMPV, says top health official

In the wake of seven cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) reported in India, Dr Suman Singh, Director, Health Services, Chandigarh, said, “The Ministry of Health has asked each state/UT to flag any influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) through integrated health information portal (IHIP).”

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She said, “We have all necessary measures in place. The HMPV does not pose threat to public health. It is not a new virus. We are prepared to take swift action if there will be surge in cases. In Chandigarh, only PGIMER has the testing facility. Samples will be collected only on the reference of government doctors.”

On January 6, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) detected three cases of HMPV through routine surveillance of respiratory illnesses, including data from the integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP) network.

DR PVM Lakshmi, Professor at Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, said the HMPV was a self-limiting virus, which could last from a week to one month, depending on individual’s immunity.

“The HMPV virus exists in general among the patients during winter season. We do not test as it exists in mild form. Only in severe cases, we collect samples. The PGIMER has designated Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory and testing kits for HMPV. The test will be free. Samples will be collected from patients referred by government doctors.”

Dr Lakshmi said precautionary measures were similar to Covid-19, including washing hands at regular intervals, covering mouth while coughing or sneezing and wearing mask. At the same time, children, elderly and patients with suppressed immune system were susceptible to the HMPV.

Dr AK Mandal, Director of Pulmonology, Sleep, and Critical Care at Fortis, said, “HMPV can be serious for certain vulnerable groups, including children under five, elderly and immunosuppressed individuals. However, most cases are manageable and do not escalate into severe illness. The symptoms often mimic those of Covid-19 but are milder in nature. We have an in-house facility to identify and treat HMPV cases.”