Kathmandu, 14 January (RSS): The HMPV virus, which is currently causing a lot of discussion and some panic, has been making a special place in the news. Moreover, with the news that one infection is being confirmed after another in the Indian media, interest in this virus has increased dramatically in Nepal as well. It is said that this virus has recently made hundreds of people sick, filled hospitals, and even caused deaths, especially in China.
It has only been a few years since COVID-19, which first appeared in China, killed thousands of people in Nepal and the world, and now everyone is worried about whether this virus, which is said to have spread again in China, will bring back the situation like during COVID-19. What is the virus that is said to have appeared in China? What is the possibility of a lockdown? Will a situation like COVID-19 cause human losses, such as this, seem to be arising among the general public at this time.
What is the HMPV virus?
In a word, it can be said to be a virus that causes colds and coughs. Symptoms similar to the ‘common cold’ or ‘flu’ are seen in infected patients with this virus. In other words, this virus can also be called a respiratory infection. This virus was first confirmed in humans in 2001. Although children are particularly affected by this virus, various studies have shown that senior citizens and those with weakened immune systems can also be affected. Although this virus is more active in the winter months, it can be seen for 12 months. Symptoms appear three to six days after infection. Initially, there is a cough, fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and difficulty breathing. Complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis can occur. This virus can be transmitted especially when an infected person coughs or sneezes, shakes hands, or when droplets from the infected person’s mouth are on an object and another person touches that object and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes with that hand.
There is no specific antiviral drug against the HMPV virus, and no vaccine has been developed. It is treated based on symptoms and complications. To avoid infection with this virus, it is important to pay special attention to personal hygiene. Since its mode of transmission is largely similar to that of COVID-19, the prevention measures are also similar. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid close contact with infected people, avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with your hands, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow, avoid public places as much as possible, and wear a mask when you must go, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after returning.
What is the impact of the HMPV virus in neighboring countries?
So far, neither the Chinese government nor the World Health Organization has officially acknowledged that the HMPV virus has caused a pandemic in China. More recently, a Reuters ‘Fact Check’ analysis revealed that the HMPV virus has not caused a pandemic in China and that a health emergency has not been declared. It is said that the cause of the respiratory symptoms, especially in the winter months, is considered to be infections such as flu, COVID-19, RSV virus, and Mycoplasma pneumonia. These infections are usually seen every winter, not only in China but also in various countries around the world, including Nepal.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when a new variant appeared in India, it would also appear in Nepal within a few weeks. Therefore, the news that the HMPV virus, which was said to have become an epidemic in China, had also appeared in India was certainly not something that Nepal would not be shocked by. But the HMPV virus is not a new virus for India and Nepal. In fact, this virus had been confirmed to be present in the community through various research conducted in the past years.
Some studies conducted in Nepal have shown that this virus is confirmed in four to 13 percent of patients. In this sense, there is no special or reason to be alarmed by the current appearance of the HMPV virus in India. If the testing of this virus is done regularly in the winter months, there is a strong possibility of it appearing every year. If the testing is done in Nepal now (in the winter months), there is a possibility of it appearing one after another like in India. In this sense, the appearance of the virus itself is not a situation to be alarmed about, but whether its impact takes the form of a major outbreak or not should be taken into special consideration. However, getting infected in itself is not good. Therefore, it is advisable to implement measures to prevent it because this virus can sometimes create a fatal situation for children, senior citizens and those with weakened immune systems.
Under what circumstances might the HMPV virus be more contagious?
No infectious disease can ever be said to be more contagious or deadly. There are past experiences where some infections are sometimes mild and sometimes deadly. In particular, if the gene of the infection changes, the possibility of becoming more contagious or deadly increases. For example, COVID-19 was born as a more contagious or deadly variant due to continuous and rapid gene changes. Therefore, it cannot be said that a similar situation (like COVID-19) will not occur in the HMPV virus. Respiratory viruses are diseases that have been seen as potential pandemic infections in the past and in the future. Although the HMPV virus is currently considered a common disease, it cannot be said that it will not become more contagious and deadly in the future. Therefore, regular and continuous monitoring of this virus seems necessary.
Finally, the HMPV virus is an infectious disease that is more active in the winter months and shows flu-like symptoms. Although rumors are currently widespread that this virus is considered the cause of an epidemic in China, there has been no reliable official confirmation of this. This virus is not new to India and Nepal. Therefore, the HMPV virus that is currently being seen one after another in India should be considered as an estimate. However, if there is no increase in the number of patients requiring hospitalization or deaths in India, there is no reason for Nepal to panic. With the onset of winter in Nepal, flu-like symptoms have started to appear in children. Therefore, if laboratory tests for the HMPV virus are conducted in Nepal along with the flu, it cannot be said that this virus will not be seen one after another in Nepal as in India, which should be considered an estimate for us. (The author is the coordinator of the Clinical Research Unit of the Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital)