HMPV virus: Union Health Ministry says it is monitoring situation in China, requests WHO to provide updates

Union Health Ministry on Saturday convened a Joint Monitoring Group Meeting in view of rising cases of respiratory illnesses in China in the past few weeks. The neighbouring country is witnessing an outbreak of HMPV virus (Human Metapneumovirus).

The ministry said it is closely monitoring the situation in China through all available channels and the World Health Organisation has been requested to share timely updates regarding the situation.




India is well-prepared to handle 'Respiratory Illnesses', and surveillance shows no unusual surge, the ministry added.

Earlier in the day, Dr Atul Goel, Director-General of Health Services, reassured the public that there is nothing to be alarmed about the present situation, urging people to take general precautions.

What is HMPV virus?

Discovered in 2001, HMPV is a respiratory virus that causes upper and lower respiratory infections. It affects individuals across all age groups, with young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems being most vulnerable.

It comes in the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).


The virus can lead to upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are majorly affected.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms of HMPV are similar to those of flu and other respiratory infections. Common signs include cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. In severe cases, the virus can lead to complications like bronchitis or pneumonia.

Li Tongzeng, a chief doctor from the Department of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases at Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University said that HMPV can be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets, and people-to-people contact, such as handshakes, or touching an object contaminated with the virus, the CCTV reported. It has an incubation period of between three to five days.