Explained: Is HMPV As Dangerous as COVID-19?

India has reported multiple cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) as reports are speculating that the health emergency can aggravate like COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava conducted a meeting with States/UTs to review the present situation of respiratory illness in the country. The meeting also took cognisance about the HMPV cases followed by reports of HMPV outbreak in China.

Attended by Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary (DHR), Dr (Prof) Atul Goel, DGHS, Health Secretaries and officials of States, experts from NCDC, IDSP, ICMR, NIV and State Surveillance Units of IDSP, the meeting didn’t highlight any unusual surge in ILI/SARI cases in the country, Ministry reported.

What are the similarities and differences between the HMPV and COVID-19?

While speaking on the virus, Dr Neeraj Nischal, Additional Professor for Internal Medicine at AIIMS Delhi said the virus shouldn't be compared with Covid-19.

He told ANI, “Let’s not compare HMPV with Covid-19. Because Covid was a completely new virus, and none of us had immunity against it. HMPV has been described clearly since 2001. There is evidence that this virus has been with us way back from the late 1950s. By the age of 10, the majority of children develop immunity against this virus.”

Though HMPV and COVID-19 are different they share some similarities. Both viruses can spread via respiratory droplets, direct contact and contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms of HMPV infection?

The symptoms of HMPV infection includes cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath and rashes

Symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms include dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, extreme tiredness, called fatigue among many.

Is HMPV infection fatal?

HMPV virus causes mild infection and patients can recover within a couple of days. Children or people with weak immune systems are most likely to get infected with this virus.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that HMPV virus can cause bronchitis and pneumonia in extreme cases. As per an article published in Lancet Global Health in 2021, about 1% of acute lower respiratory infection-related deaths in children under age five can be attributed to HMPV.