Written By: Satata Karmakar | Updated : January 5, 2025 2:24 PM IST
Has HMPV Already Entered India? Telangana Govt Denies Cases but Urges Mask-Wearing and Isolation Amid China’s Surge
HMPV In India: China is currently grappling with its most severe winter virus outbreak since the emergence of COVID-19. According to reports, HMPV or Human metapneumovirus is spreading rapidly across the country leading to increased hospitalization in most parts. Very much similar to the COVID-19 virus, HMPV is known for causing respiratory problems such as severe breathing trouble, nose congestion, and drop in oxygen levels.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is still adding more laboratories across the country to conduct tests for detecting HMPV and analyze the likely presence of new variants, the health department in Telangana State on Sunday already made a definitive statement by declaring that no such cases were detected in the state yet.
While several claims have to been made recently by experts that the HMPV if enters India could trigger a pandemic-like situation (just like it did when COVID entered the country), the Ministry has dismissed the saying - "There is no cause of worry".
According to the US Centre for Disease Control, HMPV is a respiratory virus that affects the upper and lower respiratory portions after entering the body. The virus can cause severe infections, making the patient ill and suffering from breathing issues, cough, etc. The CDC has also warned everyone to be aware of the symptoms of HMPV can cause such as cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, the virus can lead to complications like bronchitis or pneumonia.
In a recent statement issued by the MOHFW, officials stated -- "The situation in China is not unusual in view of the ongoing flu season. The reports also suggest that the cause of the present surge is the Influenza virus, RSV, and HMPV, which are not any new pathogens. The government is keeping a close watch over the situation through all the available channels."
Here are a few steps that everyone needs to follow right now to stay safe from the HMPV infection:
Apart from these, one should also follow other pandemic safety rules such as wearing a properly fitted mask, staying indoors, maintaining isolation, get yourself checked if any of the signs associated with the virus appear -- such as -- Cough, Fever, Nasal congestion, Sore throat, and Shortness of breath.
