HMPV: It is known, this is the main reason for the rapid spread of HMPV infection, big information revealed in the study

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a cause of serious concern for experts around the world these days. This infection, which started in China from mid-December, has spread to more than eight countries including India-China. If we look at the situation in the countries where cases of infection are being reported, it is known that most of the infected are children below five years of age, elderly people above 65 years of age or those who have weak immunity. However, till now the risk of developing serious disease due to this has not been seen much.

Health experts say that this virus has been around the world for more than 60 years and scientists have also known about it for more than two decades. It has been spreading in countries like Malaysia before as well. In such a situation, the question is that when HMPV has been present among us for so long, then why is there so much discussion about it this time?

In a recent study, researchers tried to understand the increasing cases of human metapneumovirus in 2024-25, which revealed many important things.

Two new mutations of the virus detected

Cases of HMPV infection in India have created panic. Since it is spreading from China, as was also seen during the time of Kovid, more fear is being seen in the minds of the people. To understand why HMPV has become so contagious this time, why it is spreading so fast, Puducherry-based Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research conducted a study in collaboration with several other institutions.

This research has revealed two new mutations A2.2.1 and A2.2.2 in human metapneumovirus. This is being blamed for the rapidly increasing cases of infection these days.

This virus has been increasing since 2022
The report of the study has been published in the IJID Regions Journal. In this, the team of researchers said, a significant global increase in HMPV was reported between November 2022 and March 2023. For this, a positivity rate of 9.6% has been observed in the patients involved in the test.

For the study, the researchers examined swab samples from January 2021 to June 2024. Meanwhile, viruses with new mutations have been detected in most of the people infected. Researchers said that there is genetic diversity in the new strains, but due to this, symptoms like the old strains (mild cold-cough, sore throat, respiratory problems) have also been seen.

What do the researchers say?

In the study, the team of scientists said, Group A strains (A1, A2a, A2b) have often been of infection-increasing nature in young children and the elderly. If there is any mutation in these, then there may be some difference in infectivity and severity of the disease.

The conclusion of the study states that most cases of infection have been seen more in children below one year of age. In terms of disease severity, 67% had respiratory problems or wheezing and 6.9% had seizures. The positivity rate of the infection spread between November 2022 and March 2023 was 9.6%.

Positivity rate means how many samples out of the total samples tested have confirmed infection. Experts believe that these two mutations may be responsible for the HMPV infection spreading around the world at this time.

No need to worry too much about HMPV

In the conclusion of the study, scientists said, HMPV has not been a very serious pathogenic virus, so there is no need to worry too much about it. However, more and detailed research is still needed to understand the nature of new strains.

HMPV is a respiratory virus that mainly affects the upper respiratory tract, although some people may also have symptoms related to the lower respiratory system due to it. The measures taken to prevent respiratory infection are also enough to prevent this infection.