After two confirmed cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) reported in Bengaluru, a suspected case of HMPV was reported in Gujarat on Monday. A two-month-old baby at a private hospital in Chandkheda is believed to be positive with HMPV, as per reports.

However, there has been no official confirmation yet.

Earlier in the day, the ICMR – Indian Council of Medical Research – confirmed two cases of HMPV in a Karnataka hospital.

Two infants, one three-month-old female and eight-month-old were tested positive for the virus, that is believed to have overwhelmed health facilities in China.

What is HMPV?

HMPV, discovered in 2001, comes in the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). However, serological studies have shown that it has existed in humans for more than 60 years and is distributed all over the world.

The virus can lead to upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are majorly affected.

It has an incubation period of between three to five days.

Wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and increasing immunity can help prevent the disease.

Experts are also warning against using antivirals for HMPV.

In a recent interview with the state-backed National Business Daily, a respiratory expert at a Shanghai hospital warned the public against blindly using antiviral drugs to fight human metapneumovirus, for which there is no vaccine but whose symptoms resemble those of a cold.

HMPV had in 2023 been detected in the Netherlands, Britain, Finland, Australia, Canada, the US and China.

The reports claim that the spike in HMPV cases has led to an alarming increase in sudden deaths, with people aged 40 to 80 being particularly affected.

“China is facing a surge in multiple viruses, including Influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19, overwhelming hospitals and crematoriums. Children’'s hospitals are particularly strained by rising pneumonia and ‘white lung’ cases,” said a post by SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) handle on social media platform X.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)

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Two HMPV cases detected in Bengaluru hospital, confirms health ministry