Tue Jan 07 19:00:59 UTC 2025: ## India Detects Seven Cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), But No Cause for Alarm, Says Expert

**NEW DELHI** – India has reported seven cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus, prompting some concern but not widespread alarm, according to former World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan. While the recent detection has gained attention following reports of outbreaks in China, Dr. Swaminathan emphasized that HMPV has circulated in India for years and currently accounts for only about 3% of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illnesses (SARI) cases.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) surveillance indicates a low prevalence, with the virus detected in a small percentage of those tested for respiratory illnesses. Dr. Swaminathan stressed that focusing on precise infection numbers is misleading, as the detection rate is heavily dependent on the scale of testing.

“It’s meaningless to keep a tab on the number of people getting infected,” she stated in an exclusive interview. “If we suddenly start testing millions, we’ll find thousands of cases.”

The symptoms of HMPV are similar to the common cold or flu, and Dr. Swaminathan clarified that there’s no known correlation between HMPV and COVID-19. She urged against panic, highlighting that the virus is not new and requires no specific treatment beyond managing symptoms.

The government has advised states to increase surveillance for respiratory illnesses and to educate the public on prevention measures, including mask-wearing, hygiene, and seeking medical attention for severe symptoms like breathlessness, persistent coughing, or difficulty feeding (in infants). Dr. Swaminathan also emphasized the importance of mask-wearing to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, regardless of the specific virus. She suggested that this practice, while effective, is not yet widely adopted in India.

The situation serves, according to Dr. Swaminathan, as an opportunity to strengthen India’s public health system, focusing on surveillance, genomic testing, and clear public communication to manage such events effectively and prevent unnecessary panic.

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