Karnataka’s ‘mask in public’ HMPV advisory after 2 cases in Bengaluru, 1 in Gujarat

Three instances of respiratory distress linked to HMPV – two in Bengaluru and one in Ahmedabad – have been identified amid concerns about the virus’s transmission, while China has also seen an increase in cases. After the two incidents in Bengaluru, the Karnataka government released a recommendation, advising residents to refrain from visiting public spaces if they exhibit symptoms and to don masks in crowded locations to minimize transmission risk.

Authorities reported that an eight-month-old boy and a three-month-old girl in Bengaluru tested positive for the virus and had no recent history of international travel. In Ahmedabad, a two-month-old child diagnosed with HMPV is currently stable and receiving treatment at a private hospital. The infant’s relatives, hailing from Dungarpur in Rajasthan, arrived in Ahmedabad for medical care.

The instances arise alongside reports of an increase in viral infections in China associated with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus first identified in 2001. The Indian government has previously stated that HMPV is not a new virus and has been circulating both globally and domestically, while also urging citizens not to panic.

The two HMPV cases found in Bengaluru had a background of bronchopneumonia, a type of pneumonia. The three-month-old has been released, while the eight-month-old tested positive for the virus on Sunday and is in recovery.

Bronchopneumonia, referred to as bronchial pneumonia, is a pneumonia type characterized by inflammation affecting both the bronchi and the alveoli (small air sacs) in the lungs. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe and can consist of fever, cough, difficulty breathing, quickened breath, perspiration and chills, headaches, body aches, tiredness, and decreased appetite.

The Union Health Ministry reported that the two HMPV cases in Bengaluru were detected through regular surveillance for various respiratory viral pathogens, as part of the Indian Council of Medical Research’s continuous efforts to track respiratory diseases nationwide. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that the eight-month-old baby boy is recovering well and is expected to be discharged on Tuesday.

“This is a virus that already exists.” This is not the initial instance. A specific group of individuals experiences respiratory issues because of the virus. “The virus was initially discovered in the Netherlands in 2001,” Rao informed the media.  Encouraging individuals to “avoid hitting the panic button,” he stated that the state government convened a meeting with medical officials and instructed them to conduct additional discussions with the ICMR and the central government. “We are uncertain if this variant originated in China.” They possessed no background in international travel. “They arrived from Tirupati,” he remarked.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated, “The HMPV virus has been found in two children.” Once I realized this, I communicated with Dinesh Gundu Rao. He replied quickly, and any choices he makes will be carried out. The government will implement all essential safety measures to stop the transmission of this illness. In the meantime, the Karnataka government has released an advisory encouraging residents to wear masks in busy places to lower the transmission risk. The government specified that HMPV spreads less easily than COVID-19, noting that most instances are mild and do not need hospitalization.

An independent advisory has been released for schools in Karnataka. Notices have been distributed to parents, requesting that they refrain from sending their children to school even with mild symptoms such as a cough, cold, or sore throat. HMPV usually leads to symptoms similar to a typical cold, including cough, wheezing, nasal discharge, or throat pain. Nevertheless, in small children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems, the virus may cause serious respiratory issues that necessitate immediate medical care.

The HMPV is typically found in kids below the age of 11. Approximately 0.7 percent of all flu samples are HMPV.

The Union Health Ministry stated it is keeping an eye on the situation in China, where there is a notable increase in respiratory illnesses, with HMPV becoming a major worry, using all accessible surveillance methods. Last month, Chinese officials launched a pilot observation system to monitor winter diseases, including pneumonia cases of unknown causes. The Union Health Ministry reported that there has been no unexpected increase in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases in the country, according to current statistics from the ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network.

ICMR will persist in monitoring HMPV circulation patterns over the course of the year. The Union Health Ministry stated, “The World Health Organisation (WHO) is already delivering timely updates concerning the situation in China to enhance ongoing measures.”  “The recent readiness exercise carried out nationwide has demonstrated that India is adequately prepared to manage any possible rise in respiratory diseases, and public health measures can be activated quickly if required,” it stated.