India HMPV tally climbs to 7 with two new cases in Nagpur

Dubai: India reported two new cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) on Tuesday, raising the total number of cases in the country to seven.

The latest cases were reported in Nagpur, following two cases in Bengaluru and one each in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Salem.

Following the discovery of two cases in Nagpur, Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif said there is no need to panic but children and elderly with co-morbid conditions need to stay alert.

Mushrif said, “The effect of the HMPV virus is being seen in many countries of the world. There is no need to panic. Children and elderly with co-morbid conditions need to stay alert.”

HMPV, first identified in 2001, is a respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms.

While it can affect individuals of all ages, children below five years, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), HMPV is already circulating globally, including in India.

In response to the rising cases, the federal government has urged states to intensify surveillance for respiratory illnesses, including Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI).

Authorities have also been advised to spread awareness about preventive measures to curb the transmission of HMPV. These measures, similar to those implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, include frequent hand washing with soap and water, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, maintaining distance from symptomatic individuals, and covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.

In recent weeks, scenes of hospitals in China overrun with masked people have made their rounds on social media, sparking worries of another pandemic.

Beijing has since acknowledged a surge in cases of the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV), especially among children, and it attributed this to a seasonal spike.

In Karnataka, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called on the state government to take the HMPV outbreak seriously, citing concerns over the virus’s impact in China. Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, urged the administration to ensure preparedness by reviewing oxygen availability and ICU bed readiness in government hospitals.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, arrangements for oxygen storage were made, but now it is essential to check whether these systems are still operational. Oxygen beds should be increased in all hospitals,” Ashoka emphasized.

He added, “Preparedness must begin now, not when an epidemic approaches us. Officials need to be trained on handling such situations, and audits of health facilities in hospitals should be conducted immediately.”

Meanwhile, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a virtual meeting on Monday with representatives from states and union territories to review the status of respiratory illnesses and HMPV cases in the country. The meeting also focused on public health measures to manage these infections, as per a statement from the Ministry of Health.

In Odisha, the state government has directed all medical facilities and laboratories to remain prepared for any potential emergency. After holding a high-level meeting, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling confirmed that no HMPV cases had been detected in Odisha so far.

“Although a small number of HMPV cases have been reported in other parts of the country, Odisha has not recorded any case to date. Therefore, there is no need for panic,” Mahaling said.

The minister also revealed that he had conducted discussions with authorities from major medical colleges and hospitals across the state via video conferencing, instructing them to remain vigilant.

“We are fully prepared to handle any unforeseen situation, should it arise,” he assured.