Mask up to combat HMPV: Experts urge caution amid rising cases in China

Be alert no need to panicrdquo is how the health experts in India are reacting to the recent outbreak of HMPV Human Metapneumovirus a virus that causes upper respiratory infections similar to a cold Itrsquos a seasonal disease that usually occurs in the winter and early springHowever experts have cautioned that the public need to adhere to COVID19appropriate behaviour of wearing masks in crowded areas and sanitising hands This is especially important as many Indians settled in China usually travel back home for the monthlong Chinese New Year holidays starting from January 15Dr Wiqar Shaikh a former Professor of Medicine at Grant Medical College and a wellknown allergy and asthma specialist has been closely monitoring the surge in upper and lower respiratory diseases in China caused by the HMPV virus since last few days and has since raised concernDr Wiqar Shaikh and Dr Subhash HiraDr Shaikh said ldquoHMPV cases were first reported from Henan province in Northern China and it is spreading rapidlyrdquo He added that HMPV mostly affects children and the elderly and is already overwhelming hospitals in ChinaDr Shaikh said HMPV was discovered in 2001 and belongs to the ldquopneumoviridaerdquo family He added that the test to confirm HMPV in the laboratory is the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction RTPCR which can also quantify viral load He explained that the symptoms of HMPV and Covid19 are similarmdashit spreads primarily through droplets and direct contact However there is as yet no specific vaccine or medication for HMPV and treatment is mainly symptomaticChina is also facing a surge in other viruses including InfluenzaA Mycoplasma pneumoniae and COVID19 It is reported that childrenrsquos hospitals in China are flooded with increasing cases of pneumonia Dr Shaikh explained that symptoms of HMPV include fever cold cough sore throat and breathlessness and could lead to bronchitis and pneumoniaHe said that although no cases of HMPV have as yet been reported from India our country needs to be careful especially since China is a neighbouring country He concluded that our best friend is the ldquomaskrdquo and cautioned that the authorities must screen all flyers arriving from ChinaldquoThe World Health Organization WHO in future will use the term Disease X for such potential threats of any currently unknown pathogen that could cause a pandemic HMPV does not yet fit the criteria of being declared Disease X but it has pandemic potential under certain circumstances Human Metapneumovirus HMPV is a significant cause of respiratory illness and death in 1080 per cent of infected persons in some published studies Epidemics of HMPV are likely to occur particularly during the respiratory virus season which usually peaks in the fall and winter months The patterns of HMPV outbreaks can vary by region and factors such as climate population density and public health preventive measures influence the spread of the virus HMPV can be complicated by the presence of other respiratory viruses such as influenza A and Corona viruses further complicating diagnosis and public health responserdquo said Dr Subhash Hira professor of global health at University of WashingtonUSA and former advisor of WHOTDR Geneva who continues to be on the pandemic preparedness committeeldquoInfluenza A is a wellknown virus responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks and can also cause pandemics While it is a significant public health concern it is not classified as lsquoDisease Xrsquo since it is already understood characterized and studied extensively Surveillance efforts are essential to understand the epidemiological trends and the potential impact of respiratory viruses on public healthrdquo added Dr HiraSymptoms of HMPV so far have not been severe and generally cause mild illnessmdashlike fever cold and cough runny nose etc Preventive COVID19 appropriate behaviour like frequent handwashing wearing masks avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated spaces can be advisable to keep the spread under control Dr Shaikh has advised