Written By: Satata Karmakar | Updated : March 17, 2025 3:11 PM IST
Kolkata Woman Tests Positive For Deadly Human Coronavirus HKU1 - Warning Signs of This Newly Detected Virus In India
Kolkata News: A 45-year-old woman from Kolkata, West Bengal, has tested positive for the highly infectious human coronavirus HKU1, a lesser-known strain of the coronavirus family. According to the reports, the woman developed a high-grade fever, accompanied by a persistent cough and cold, that lasted for over 15 days before being admitted to a private hospital in South Kolkata. City health officials have confirmed that the woman has been kept in isolation and is undergoing treatment. Her condition is stable now.
While this virus is not as well-known as COVID-19, it can still cause respiratory infections. With the detection of the very first case this year, let's understand the virus in detail and know how different it is from the parent coronavirus strain.
Human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1) is one of the seven known human coronaviruses. According to the experts, the HKU1 strain is very similar to the COVID-19 virus that wreaked havoc worldwide in 2020. First discovered in 2005 in Hong Kong, HCoV-HKU1 is known for causing severe respiratory diseases. While being generally associated with mild to moderate respiratory illnesses, HKU1 can have a more severe impact on people who lack sufficient immunity or are immunocompromised. Unlike other more severe forms of respiratory syndromes, such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, HKU1 poses less of a threat to human life.
How do you know if you have contracted the virus? Here are the common symptoms of HCoV-HKU1 virus strain that one should know (this strain of coronavirus is known to cause upper respiratory tract infections):
As per experts, this strain of the coronavirus is believed to spread in ways similar to other respiratory viruses, such as through infected droplets from coughs and sneezes, direct contact, and contaminated surfaces.
Human Coronavirus HKU1 causes upper respiratory diseases with symptoms similar to the common cold. However, it can also lead to more severe conditions such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. It is less severe than the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19.
While HCoV-HKU1 does not pose the same level of threat as COVID-19, early detection and proper medical care are essential in managing its impact. This case in Kolkata has prompted health officials to monitor for potential outbreaks and advise enhanced hygiene measures.
Similar to other respiratory viruses, the best way to protect yourself from HCoV-HKU1 includes:
"In severe cases, the infection can lead to shortness of breath, pneumonia, or bronchitis. Doctors maintain that while mild cases resolve on their own, senior citizens, young children, and those with weakened immune systems may experience more severe complications".
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