HMPV: Two cases in Bengaluru, no global emergency call from WHO yet

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reported two cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) on Monday, 6 January. According to reports, an eight-month-old infant in Bengaluru has been infected with the virus.

In a separate instance, a three-month-old infant in Bengaluru, widely known as India’s IT hub, was also diagnosed with HMPV, but has since recovered. Both cases were identified at a private hospital in the city. Reports confirm that neither child has a history of international travel.

“The ICMR has identified two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka. These cases were detected through routine surveillance of multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses nationwide,” the Union health ministry stated.

HMPV was initially identified in China, where several patients were found to be infected with the respiratory illness. However, it is worth noting that neither the World Health Organization (WHO) nor China’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared an emergency related to this virus.

Unlike the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, which triggered the Covid-19 pandemic, HMPV is not new. It was first discovered by Dutch researchers in 2001 in nasopharyngeal samples taken from children suffering from respiratory illnesses.

Serological studies indicate that HMPV has existed for at least 60 years and is not confined to China. It has been recognised globally as a common respiratory pathogen. At present, northern regions of China, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia, are reporting the highest number of cases. However, the exact caseload remains unclear.

Despite HMPV being known as a pathogen for nearly three decades, no vaccine has been developed to date.

One significant concern about HMPV is its tendency to primarily affect younger populations, including infants, toddlers, and adolescents.

HMPV typically causes symptoms resembling those of a cold, such as coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, or sore throat. While most cases are mild, young children, adults over the age of 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of severe illness. HMPV is widespread, with most people contracting it before the age of five.

Although it often causes upper respiratory infections, it can sometimes result in lower respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, asthma flare-ups, or worsened chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). HMPV infections are more common in winter and early spring.

Research estimates that around 10 to 12 per cent of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV. While most cases are mild, approximately 5 to 16 per cent of children may develop lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia.

HMPV is closely related to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), as both belong to the same genus, pneumovirus. Both viruses can cause similar symptoms. Severe illness from HMPV is most common in children aged six to 12 months, whereas RSV tends to be more severe in infants under six months.

Symptoms of HMPV include:

• Cough

• Fever

• Runny or blocked nose

• Sore throat

• Wheezing

• Shortness of breath (dyspnoea)

• Rash

HMPV spreads through direct contact with an infected individual or by touching contaminated surfaces. Common methods of transmission include:

• Coughing and sneezing

• Handshakes, hugs, or kisses

• Touching contaminated objects such as phones, door handles, keyboards, or toys

While China has yet to release detailed information about the outbreak, neighbouring countries are beginning to report their own cases. The virus has now spread to other east Asian nations.

According to Japan Broadcasting Corporation, 94,259 flu cases were reported in a single week leading up to 15 December. The total number of cases in Japan currently stands at 718,000.