Why a New Pandemic is Unlikely to be Caused by HMPV
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a serious health issue that originated in china, has been identified in India. Despite similarities to Sars-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19), HMPV is not a novel source of sickness similar to Covid-19.
The upper and lower respiratory tracts are impacted by HMPV, which manifests as fever, coughing, runny nose, and sore throat. In susceptible individuals, it can result in severe episodes of pneumonia and bronchiolitis along with mild cold-like symptoms. Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are all impacted.
Despite belonging to separate viral families, HMPV and SARS-CoV-2 have several things in common. Both mostly impact the respiratory system, causing symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, coughing, and shortness of breath. They are spread by respiratory droplets and contaminated surdata-faces.
Both diseases may be avoided by practicing good hand hygiene, wearing masks, and avoiding close contact with others. The accessibility of immunizations and therapies, however, makes a big impact. Although there is presently no vaccine or generally accessible antiviral therapy for HMPV, there are effective vaccinations and antiviral medications like Paxlovid for COVID-19.
WILL HMPV BECOME A PANDEMIC?
Concerns regarding the possibility of a pandemic have been raised by the discovery of the human metapneumovirus in India.
Despite sharing flu-like symptoms with COVID-19, experts have insisted that HMPV will not spread like wildfire.
HMPV is not a new virus; it was identified in 2001 and has been spreading worldwide ever since, according to Dr. Minesh Mehta, Consultant of Critical Care at Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, who spoke to india Today Digital.
The majority of people contract HMPV in their early years, and although reinfections are conceivable, they are often less severe due to partial immunity gained from prior exposures. "This extensive prior exposure reduces the likelihood of significant epidemics," Dr. Mehta said.
He went on to say that the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and HMPV are distinct.
Close contact with infected individuals or contaminated surdata-faces is the primary way that HMPV is disseminated. It is less likely to produce rapid and extensive outbreaks, though, since it spreads more slowly than SARS-CoV-2.
HMPV does not have the significant fatality rate associated with severe COVID-19 cases, but it can cause serious lung infections in susceptible individuals. Since the majority of HMPV infections are minor, healthcare systems can often handle them with little difficulty.
"It's important to note the recent rise in HMPV cases in china fits seasonal patterns and higher awareness and testing," Dr. Mehta stated, adding, "At this point, health authorities, including the WHO, have not said that HMPV threatens a pandemic."
According to Dr. Vikas Mittal, a pulmonologist in the respiratory medicine department at CK Birla Hospital in punjabi Bagh, "HMPV only becomes a serious issue when it affects a person with a compromised immune system." To learn more about HMPV infection, we must continue to watch the situation. The government claims that the number of influenza-like illnesses has not significantly increased.
Simply take measures, and you won't have to worry."
It's too soon to link HMPV to a pandemic, according to Dr. Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Lead Consultant and Head of Department, Interventional Pulmonology and lung Transplant, aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru. "This virus has been present in the community for a long time and is closely related to RSV, primarily affecting children under five and adults over 65."
It's "premature to predict a widespread outbreak," he said, even if cases have been detected in a particular area of China. Authorities in charge of global health are keeping a careful eye on the issue, researching the behavior of the virus, and conducting surveillance.
The upper and lower respiratory tracts are impacted by HMPV, which manifests as fever, coughing, runny nose, and sore throat. In susceptible individuals, it can result in severe episodes of pneumonia and bronchiolitis along with mild cold-like symptoms. Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are all impacted.
Despite belonging to separate viral families, HMPV and SARS-CoV-2 have several things in common. Both mostly impact the respiratory system, causing symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, coughing, and shortness of breath. They are spread by respiratory droplets and contaminated surdata-faces.
Both diseases may be avoided by practicing good hand hygiene, wearing masks, and avoiding close contact with others. The accessibility of immunizations and therapies, however, makes a big impact. Although there is presently no vaccine or generally accessible antiviral therapy for HMPV, there are effective vaccinations and antiviral medications like Paxlovid for COVID-19.
WILL HMPV BECOME A PANDEMIC?
Concerns regarding the possibility of a pandemic have been raised by the discovery of the human metapneumovirus in India.
Despite sharing flu-like symptoms with COVID-19, experts have insisted that HMPV will not spread like wildfire.
HMPV is not a new virus; it was identified in 2001 and has been spreading worldwide ever since, according to Dr. Minesh Mehta, Consultant of Critical Care at Shalby Hospital in Ahmedabad, who spoke to india Today Digital.
The majority of people contract HMPV in their early years, and although reinfections are conceivable, they are often less severe due to partial immunity gained from prior exposures. "This extensive prior exposure reduces the likelihood of significant epidemics," Dr. Mehta said.
He went on to say that the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and HMPV are distinct.
Close contact with infected individuals or contaminated surdata-faces is the primary way that HMPV is disseminated. It is less likely to produce rapid and extensive outbreaks, though, since it spreads more slowly than SARS-CoV-2.
HMPV does not have the significant fatality rate associated with severe COVID-19 cases, but it can cause serious lung infections in susceptible individuals. Since the majority of HMPV infections are minor, healthcare systems can often handle them with little difficulty.
"It's important to note the recent rise in HMPV cases in china fits seasonal patterns and higher awareness and testing," Dr. Mehta stated, adding, "At this point, health authorities, including the WHO, have not said that HMPV threatens a pandemic."
According to Dr. Vikas Mittal, a pulmonologist in the respiratory medicine department at CK Birla Hospital in punjabi Bagh, "HMPV only becomes a serious issue when it affects a person with a compromised immune system." To learn more about HMPV infection, we must continue to watch the situation. The government claims that the number of influenza-like illnesses has not significantly increased.
Simply take measures, and you won't have to worry."
It's too soon to link HMPV to a pandemic, according to Dr. Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Lead Consultant and Head of Department, Interventional Pulmonology and lung Transplant, aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru. "This virus has been present in the community for a long time and is closely related to RSV, primarily affecting children under five and adults over 65."
It's "premature to predict a widespread outbreak," he said, even if cases have been detected in a particular area of China. Authorities in charge of global health are keeping a careful eye on the issue, researching the behavior of the virus, and conducting surveillance.