At least nine cases of HMPV infection have been reported from India since January 7. Initially, HMPV cases were reported in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. On the same day, Gujarat confirmed another case, followed by two additional cases reported in Nagpur, Maharashtra. On Wednesday, another HMPV case was confirmed in Mumbai. One more case was reported from Ahmedadad on Thursday.
HMPV infection is not new in India. Several HMPV cases were reported in December as well. Earlier, the former World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan, told NDTV that keeping a tally of ‘HMPV cases in India’ is meaningless.
After the HMPV virus’s outbreak in China, India detected five cases on Monday, January 6. Amid concerns whether this COVID-like virus can trigger a pandemic, a key information is gaining attention: despite the fact that HMPV was first discovered in 2001__24 years ago–a vaccine has not been developed.
“There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV,” states the Karnataka Directorate of Medical Education’s latest advisory. The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) also mentions that currently, there is no vaccine or medication effective against HMPV. The treatment is mostly focused on alleviating symptoms.
What is the Human Metapneumovirus?
HMPV is a common respiratory virus that causes lower and upper respiratory infections. It is not a new discovery and cases have been reported from various countries over the years. There is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV and prevention the cornerstone of controlling its spread.