Is HMPV threat to India? Telangana denies cases while experts urge caution amid China’s surge

HMPV infections are not uncommon, with doctors in Hyderabad noting that they frequently encounter patients with similar symptoms. However, there is a possibility that the recent increase in HMPV cases in China could be linked to mutations, although these have not yet been identified through genetic testing of the HMPV variant in China.

Hyderabad: While the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) through Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is still adding more laboratories across the country to conduct tests for detecting Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and analyze likely presence of new variants, the health department in Telangana State on Saturday already made a definitive statement by declaring that no such cases were detected.

The HMPV infections are nothing new, as doctors in Hyderabad point out that they routinely come across patients with similar symptoms. However, there are chances that the recent surge in HMPV infections in China could be related to mutations, which so far is yet to be detected through genetic testing of the HMPV variant of China.

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“It is a fact that HMPV is a regular and not a mysterious virus. Whether it’s a new mutant in China, we still don’t know. It’s quite premature to report that there are no cases of HMPV so quickly within a day or two of the cases being reported in China. Its important to exercise caution and not make definitive statements,” public health experts here said.

On its part, the MOHFW in its recent statement on the emerging situation said “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 Influenza virus, RSV and HMPV, which are the usual pathogens that are expected during the season. The government is keeping a close watch over the situation through all available channels”.

“Instead of outright denial, authorities have to focus more on providing the right and accurate information that will guide people to make informed decisions, aimed at mitigating the risk or threat of any disease,” doctors point out.

To be prepared to meet any kind of emergencies like sudden surge of viral infections, authorities must have the ability to diagnose or detect the threat quickly and inform the public about it, senior health officials said.

“Last year, the public health department in Telangana did not acknowledge the risk/ threat of Chikungunya. They were, however, forced to accept the presence of a large number of Chikungunya cases only after the CDC advisory from the United States. As a result of this, people suffered because they were not informed or alerted properly,” doctors said.