Human Metapneumovirus: Dangerous Chinese virus enters India, know from American doctor how to stay safe

The whole world was recovering from the corona pandemic, meanwhile, due to Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, conditions like the peak of Covid-19 started developing again. The news of increasing crowds in hospitals and crematoriums and the videos going viral on social media have given sleepless nights to the world. Although Human Metapneumovirus is not a new virus, however, as its nature and infectiousness is being seen, many reports have even started saying that if the infection is not controlled, it can cause another global pandemic in five years. Within 20-25 days, HMPV has given sleepless nights to health agencies around the world including China.

This dangerous virus spreading in China has now reached India as well. Till Monday (January 6), infection has been found in three children in the country. The Union Health Ministry said that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found HMPV infection in two children in Karnataka. Infection has been found in a three-month-old girl and an eight-month-old boy. Apart from this, infection has also been reported in a two-month-old girl in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

In view of the global threat of HMPV, health experts have advised all people to keep taking measures to protect themselves from it.

American doctor gave all the information

Amid the increasing dangers of human metapneumovirus, Amar Ujala spoke to American physician Dr Ravindra Godse to understand about this virus. Dr Ravindra, who is treating HMPV infected in America, says that this is not a very serious disease virus. Most of the infected people have flu-like symptoms, in some people, cases of asthma or bronchitis can definitely be triggered due to it. This virus is mostly preying on young children and the elderly or those with weak immunity.

Doctors say, after mutation in coronavirus, novel coronavirus came in 2019-20 and wreaked havoc all over the world. It is believed that there have been some changes in HMPV as well, but there is less fear of it proving to be more dangerous.

Understand Human Metapneumovirus

Dr Ravindra Godse explains, HMPV is not a new virus. It has been around the world for more than 60 years and we all know about it for the last 25 years. To understand Human Metapneumovirus, first we have to know that there are two types of viruses - DNA and RNA. Human Metapneumovirus is an RNA virus. DNA viruses are stable, meaning there is no change in it, while RNA viruses keep on mutating.

Dr Ravindra says, looking at the nature or patients so far, it is being understood that it is not going to cause troubles like Covid. However, the report of a detailed study on the new mutations of HMPV is still awaited.

Then how did the situation worsen in China?

In such a situation, the question arises that when this virus is not very dangerous, then how did the situation worsen in China in no time?

Regarding this, Dr Ravindra explains, the main reason for the increase of human metapneumovirus in China and affecting a large number of people is the 'Zero-Covid Policy' implemented there during Covid. There was a lockdown in March 2020 which continued till December 2023 with great strictness. The children born during this period neither went to school, nor did they meet or interact much with other people. This was the reason that natural immunity could not develop in such children. Because of this, children there are seen to be more affected by these new mutated viruses.

In a country like India, children develop good immunity in time, so there is no possibility of HMPV spreading much or taking a serious form in India.

What to do for prevention in India?

Dr Ravindra says, there is neither much danger from it in India nor is any special measure required to prevent it.

The measures that were being taken in Covid to prevent respiratory infectious diseases (such as hand hygiene and efforts to increase immunity) are enough. People who already have comorbidities or are suffering from any serious disease that has greatly impaired immunity are advised to wear masks and maintain social distancing, although not everyone needs to worry too much about it or is susceptible to human metapneumovirus.