Continue on TOI App
Live Now

HMPV Virus Cases Live Highlights: 80-year-old man found infected with human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Ahmedabad, say officials

HMPV Live: Two suspected cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been reported in Nagpur, Maharashtra, raising concerns about t...

The Times of India | Jan 10, 2025, 02:46:29 IST

Tired of too many ads?
02:46 (IST), Jan, 10

HMPV Virus Cases in India Live: Suspected case of HMPV reported in Lucknow

A case of suspected Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) was reported in the Lucknow, UP, on Thursday.
A 60-year-old woman from Mawaiya near Charbagh was admitted to Balrampur Hospital with complaint of fever and breathing difficulties. She initially underwent a swab test at a private hospital and her report was found to be positive.

22:03 (IST), Jan, 09

80-year-old man found infected with human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Ahmedabad: Officials

21:28 (IST), Jan, 09

The reports saying that a positive case of HMPV virus has been found in Balrampur Hospital is completely incorrect (as of now). Such claims are baseless because the patient has a history of diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid. She has been undergoing treatment for a cold and cough for the last 1.5 months. Her diagnoses as HMPV positive patient has been done by Charak Hospital, but there is no paperwork to support the claims. This is beyond our understanding. We have admitted the patient and we are trying to confirm.

 

- Director of Balrampur Hospital

21:01 (IST), Jan, 09

HMPV Virus Cases in India Live: What you need to know about HMPV

HMPV stands for Human Metapneumovirus, a virus that causes mild upper respiratory infections.

It spreads through person-to-person contact or contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms include coughing, fever, and a blocked nose, similar to cold and flu.

Vulnerable groups (children, elderly, immune-compromised) may experience more severe symptoms.

Public health advice includes staying in well-ventilated spaces, covering coughs, and frequent hand washing.

Infected individuals are advised to rest, hydrate, and avoid spreading the virus.

Unlike Covid-19, which emerged in late 2019 with no immunity, HMPV has been circulating for decades.

Most people have some protection against HMPV, and many catch it multiple times in their lifetime.

HMPV is part of the common group of winter viruses.

06:27 (IST), Jan, 09

We are fully prepared. I would like to assure the people that this is not the coronavirus, but just a common flu virus. There is no major risk involved. It will cause symptoms like fever, cough, cold, etc., but these will subside on their own. There's no need to panic. So far, there has been no case reported in Punjab.

 

- Punjab health minister Balbir Singh

16:45 (IST), Jan, 09

HMPV: Chhattisgarh govt forms technical committee to monitor situation

The Chhattisgarh government has formed a technical committee to monitor the status of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in the state, an official said on Thursday. The panel was formed after the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directed states to create awareness regarding HMPV, he added.

"The committee is headed by Director of Epidemic Control Dr S K Pambhoi and will make necessary suggestions and issue guidelines regarding prevention, awareness and future action plan against HMPV infection. The panel will submit its report from time to time to the state's Health Department," the official said.

16:39 (IST), Jan, 09

UP: Balarampur hospital director refutes claim of confirmed HMPV case in Lucknow

As the concerns over the Human Metapneumovirus (HPMV) virus grows, a 56-year-old woman patient was found to be infected with the HMPV virus by "Charak Hospital". However, the director of Balrampur Hospital in the state's capital has refuted the claims, saying that her diagnosis was done without any supportive evidence.

"The reports saying that a positive case of HMPV virus has been found in Balrampur Hospital is completely incorrect (as of now). Such claims are baseless because the patient has a history of diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid. She has been undergoing treatment for a cold and cough for the last 1.5 months. Her diagnoses as HMPV positive patient has been done by Charak Hospital, but there is no paperwork to support the claims. This is beyond our understanding. We have admitted the patient and we are trying to confirm," SP Chaudhary, Director of Balarampur Hospital, told ANI.

"We will only be able to tell about the diagnoses of the patient after the results for the sample come back from King George's Medical University," he added.

12:50 (IST), Jan, 09

HMPV Virus Cases in India Live: WHO shares details of HMP Virus in North America

The World Health Organisation (WHO) shared the trends of acute respiratory infection, including human metapneumovirus (HMP virus) in the Northern Hemisphere and noted that the rate of increase of virus infections follows the usual trends.

In its disease outbreak news, WHO observed that while the trends in acute respiratory infections are increasing in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, these are not unusual and are "typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other common respiratory viruses, including human metapneumovirus (hMPV), as well as mycoplasma pneumonia". It further added that the co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens during the winter season can sometimes cause an increased burden on health care systems treating sick persons.

Mentioning about the hMP Virus, WHO said, "hMPV is a common respiratory virus found to circulate in many countries in winter through to spring, although not all countries routinely test and publish data on trends in hMPV . While some cases can be hospitalized with bronchitis or pneumonia, most people infected with hMPV have mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold and recover after a few days."

Tired of too many ads?go ad free now
09:30 (IST), Jan, 09

HMPV Virus Cases in India Live: 'Expected during winter,' says WHO official on HMPV virus

Amid concerns surrounding the Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus, WHO official, Margaret Harris, said that the rise observed in the number of common respiratory infections, is 'common' during winter and spring.

She further added that as per Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the pathogens causing the disease are "known ones."

"There has indeed been a rise in a number of common respiratory infections in the country. And this is entirely expected during the winter. China has a sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness and severe respiratory infections," she said.

Harris said that the pathogens are known ones and can be tackled, including the pathogens of Covid 19.

"According to the Chinese CDC data, the pathogens causing these infections are known ones. And they include the seasonal influenza virus, the respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, and of course, the human metanumavirus, HMPV, as well as our old friend SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19," she said.

The WHO official further said that seasonal influenza is a common one that crops up for testing.

09:28 (IST), Jan, 09

'Need not be worried about HMPV, it has been in circulation in India for long': AIIMS Rishikesh director

Amid recent cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), Dr Meenu Singh, Director of AIIMS Rishikesh on Wednesday reassured the public that the virus, which primarily affects children under five, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, is "not a new threat."

Speaking to ANI, Dr Singh emphasized that the virus, while contagious, typically poses "minimal risk" in the general population.

"HMPV is a respiratory virus which usually affects kids under the age of five, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. This is not a new virus...It usually affects during winter and occurs alongside RSV. If a child has symptoms of acute respiratory infection like a cold, cough, or shortness of breath, then the child needs to be assessed immediately. Antibiotics don't help treat this virus," she said.

"We need not be worried about HMPV as it has been in circulation in India for a long time. Only premature kids with low birth weight may suffer serious illness due to this virus," the doctor added.

Dr Singh also stressed the importance of hydration, proper care for vulnerable groups, and maintaining preventive measures like social distancing and hand hygiene.

09:27 (IST), Jan, 09

HMPV Virus Cases in India Live: Punjab health minister reviews preparedness

Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh Wednesday reviewed the preparedness against human metapneumovirus (HMPV). No case of the respiratory disease has been reported in the state and there is no need to panic, he said.

During his visit to Rajindra Hospital here, the minister emphasised that HMPV was not as severe as the COVID-19 virus.

Instead, it is a flu-like virus similar to the common cold, often causing mild fever and cough that usually resolves within a week, he said.

However, he added that the Punjab government has taken proactive steps to ensure that it fights it off in case there is a breakout.

The state has collaborated with the National Institute of Virology, the Union Health Ministry, and the World Health Organization to stay updated on developments, Dr Balbir Singh said.

Following directives from these bodies, a video conference was held with civil surgeons from across the state to disseminate necessary guidelines, he said.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is personally monitoring the situation and remains in constant touch with health officials daily, he said.

The minister urged the public to not fall prey to any rumour.

09:25 (IST), Jan, 09

HMPV Virus Cases in India Live: What has China said?

China's disease control authority held a wide-ranging press conference just before the new year to discuss its "progress and achievements".

Among other measures, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced it was "piloting active monitoring of pneumonia of unknown origin" as it developed its general prevention strategy.

Later, while answering a question about "the interweaving of multiple infectious diseases" this winter, top official Kan Biao gave a rundown on the state of play of various ailments in the country.

"Influenza virus has shown a clear upward trend recently... the positive rate of rhinovirus has shown a downward trend... respiratory syncytial virus in those aged 0 to 4 years has shown an upward trend recently, and the positive rate of HMPV in cases aged 14 and below has also shown an upward trend," he said.

However, he noted, "the scale and intensity of the spread of respiratory infectious diseases are lower than last year".

09:24 (IST), Jan, 09

HMPV Virus Cases in India Live: What you need to know about HMPV

Reports that cases of a flu-like virus called HMPV are rising in China have sparked concern, but experts have dismissed fears that the situation is comparable to the beginnings of Covid-19 five years ago.

Similar to flu

HMPV stands for "human metapneumovirus" and generally causes a mild infection of the upper respiratory tract.

It spreads via person-to-person contact or when someone touches a contaminated surface.

Common symptoms include coughing, fever and a blocked nose -- very similar to many types of cold and flu.

Vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems may have more severe symptoms.

Public health advice for HMPV is similar to that for flu, said John Tregoning, professor in vaccine immunology at Imperial College London.

"Protecting yourself by being in well-ventilated (spaces), covering your mouth when you cough (and) washing your hands will all help," he said.

Infected people should "rest, take on fluids (and) try not to spread it to others".

Two suspected cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been reported in Nagpur, Maharashtra, adding to three confirmed cases in Karnataka and Gujarat. The virus, first identified in 2001, spreads through respiratory droplets and circulates primarily during winter and early spring. Health Minister JP Nadda reassured the public that there is no cause for panic, highlighting India’s vigilant health systems and surveillance networks. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed that precautionary measures are underway, while experts noted that HMPV infections usually resolve within 5–7 days.

Amid this development, the Union Health Ministry has urged states and union territories to enhance surveillance for respiratory illnesses, including influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a virtual meeting with state officials and health experts, focusing on preventive measures and public health management.

States have been directed to increase awareness about simple preventive practices, such as maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding contact with symptomatic individuals, and practising respiratory etiquette. While no unusual rise in ILI or SARI cases has been observed, health authorities remain cautious, especially in light of a surge in HMPV cases in China. With adequate diagnostic facilities available through ICMR laboratories, India’s health systems are prepared to handle any potential rise during the winter months.

Top Comment

Copyright © 2025 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service