HMPV in India: Is Human Metapneumovirus friendly with winter and hostile to heat? It differs from COVID-19 as…Health experts say…

Human Metapneumovirus(HMPV) is a virus that has been associated with respiratory illnesses.

China is reportedly grappling with a virus similar to COVID-19, causing significant distress among its population. Social media videos claim that hospitals in the country are overwhelmed with patients, leaving many struggling to find treatment. However, the authenticity of these claims and videos remains unverified. Not the unprecedented and deadly COVID-19, but the new concern in China is Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is reportedly spreading more frequently during the winter months. In contrast, COVID-19 primarily wreaked havoc during the summer.

HMPV in India: Is Human Metapneumovirus friendly with winter and hostile to heat? It differs from COVID-19 as…Health experts say…

Amid growing concern about Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in the country, states in India have intensified their health measures, focusing on surveillance and prevention to address the challenge. HMPV is a virus that has been associated with respiratory illnesses. Well, the question remains: Does HMPV thrive in winter while avoiding summer? Could it be the reverse of COVID-19?

While talking to News 18 Hindi, Dr. Karn Mehra, Head of the Pulmonology Department at Fortis Hospital, Manesar stated that the HMPV virus is definitely friendly with winter and hostile to heat. He explained that HMPV is not a new virus. While nothing can be said about what has or hasn’t happened in China, the virus itself is well-known, and a lot is understood about it. Dr. Karan Mehra explained that most flu-like viruses thrive during the winter months. They easily adapt and evolve in the cold. Additionally, such viruses only flourish at temperatures below 40 degrees Celsius. As a result, these viruses tend to emerge in winter and infect people. Therefore, it can be said that the HMPV virus is closely associated with winter.

HMPV cases have likely been seen here in the past as well. However, due to the high cost of testing, it is not typically conducted separately, and the test is not available everywhere. Moreover, the symptoms of HMPV are generally mild, and in most cases, the infection resolves on its own. The symptoms resemble those of influenza, so the illness can usually be treated with basic medications.

In an interview with News 18 Hindi, Dr. Karan Mehra explained that COVID-19 was a completely new virus, and there was no prior knowledge about it. He pointed out that there is no clear connection between the virus and the weather. If cases of COVID-19 surged during the summer, it could have simply been coincidental. However, it is well-established that most viruses tend to thrive more in the winter months. In this context, deadly COVID-19 was an exception. As a result, we cannot definitively state that the COVID-19 virus doesn’t thrive in winter.

Senior pulmonologist Dr. Sharad Joshi from Max Hospital, speaking to News 18, explained that Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is not a new virus. Patients affected by HMPV have previously visited his OPD. He also mentioned that in the last two months, he has seen patients with other viral infections like Influenza A, Influenza B, and H3N2, but none of them were in a critical condition. According to Dr. Joshi, all the patients were discharged after treatment. Meanwhile, in some cases, the virus affected the heart, which required the patients to be admitted to the ICU. He noted that patients with a stronger immune system recovered quickly and returned home in good health.

Dr Pinaki R Debnath, HoD, Pediatric Surgery, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, told news agency ANI that the HMPV existed earlier and it erupted now because of some reasons like cold. “Human Metapneumovirus is not a new virus, it is an old virus. It existed earlier too. It erupted right now because of some reasons like cold. This happens in cold. This is a respiratory RNA virus; it infects the respiratory system…A viral infection spreads more when immunity is lowered or among the extremes of age. Those above 60-65 years of age or those below five years of age have a low body immunity. If the body’s immunity is low, virus spread is more. That is why, it can be seen among children,” he added.

Speaking on the issue, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Kochi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI that HMPV is a common respiratory virus which most children get by the age of 3 or 4. “It’s very rare to have a serious problem with this. Most children would have had at least one bout of this infection in their childhood, including all of us…This is not COVID. This is not a killer virus. It has been around for many years in all countries, including ours,” Dr Jayadevan stated.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda reassured the public on Monday, saying that there is no cause for alarm. He emphasized that the virus, first identified in 2001, poses no new threat.

“Health experts have clarified that HMPV is not a new virus. It was first identified in 2001… HMPV spreads through the air and can affect people of all age groups. The virus spreads more during the winter and early spring months,” Nadda added. He also mentioned that the government is closely monitoring the situation, with the ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) keeping track of developments and ensuring the country’s preparedness to handle any emerging health challenges.

Nadda stated, “The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken cognizance of the situation and will share its report with us shortly. The country data for respiratory viruses available with ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program has also been reviewed, and no surge in any common respiratory viral pathogens has been observed in India. A joint monitoring group meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Director General for Health Services on January 4 to review the situation.”