Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is not comparable to coronavirus, but it is wise to handle it cautiously, the country’s top virologist, Dr Saumitra Das.
“HMPV is not novel and hence, there is no reason to panic,” Das, professor and chair at the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science This is the first time after 2001 that the virus has led to an outbreak, if any, in China. “It was first found in 2001 in an infant patient as it causes respiratory illness. Since then, it has been monitored, and it never really had an outbreak until now, as reported by China.”
Das explained that “HMPV infection will first start with common-cold-like symptoms. Then ultimately, if it becomes severe in bodies with weak immunity, it might lead to bronchiolitis. In some cases, it may cause pneumonia in older patients or infants.
Hence, people need to be on alert even if HMPV cannot be equated with SARS-CoV-2″.HMPV is not “as harsh as SARS-CoV-2″, he reiterated, adding that the latest virus “doesn’t pose Covid-19 kind of threat at this moment but in some cases, it causes illnesses similar to influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infections (SARI)”. “However, the treatment is mostly symptomatic at the initial stages.”
Das highlighted that despite the weak character of the virus, people need to protect “infants, young kids, elderly and immunocompromised people”.
Das is also co-chair of INSACOG’s advisory board. He believes that India can ramp up surveillance against human metapneumovirus (HMPV) using the INSACOG networks established for coronavirus genome sequencing, whenever required.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, or INSACOG, is a group of over 50 laboratories to monitor genomic variations in the Covid-19 virus. Genome sequencing is a technique used to identify and understand the characteristics of new virus strains.
New Year Revelry To Blame?
Das, who specialised in molecular virology and biology, recalled the appearance of new pathogens or variants during the same time in the last few years.
“It’s not a new phenomenon that occurs every festive season. We experienced the outbreak of Covid-19 during the same time. The reason is simple: During Christmas and New Year’s Eve, a lot of mixing of people takes place, and people unintentionally end up spreading cold and flu.”
Hence, we need to take learnings and apply caution during this time of the year.
“If we catch a cold – which could be Covid-19, HMPV, or some other virus – we need to be more careful. Instead of spreading it to others, we need to handle it alone. This breaks the chain of passing the infection. Those affected should try to wear a mask. This will protect the vulnerable.”
Surveillance Mechanisms
Das said: “The Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network in India and ICMR centres are already conducting routine surveillance for all respiratory viruses.”
At this moment, he said, “I don’t think sequencing of HMPV is necessary. Currently, HMPV has two major genotypes – genotype A and genotype B, and within those, they have A1, A2, and B1, B2″.
“Some reports are indicating that in India, we have genotype A 2.2.1 and genotype A 2.2.2. I am not sure how often these are actually found in our populations, and that needs to be checked. If required, we have the INSACOG network that can be activated with the appropriate authority’s approval.”
Das suggested that sewage surveillance can also be scaled up to detect the presence of HMPV, if necessary.
“Other detection methods are already in place, such as RT-PCR and ELISA testing, and these can continue until the need for sequencing arises.”When asked if any of the known strains are slightly more lethal than others, Das said “I am not aware of any such variants that are more lethal in terms of infectivity. SARS-CoV-2 had much higher infectivity than HMPV at any given point.”
Status of Covid-19 in India
Right now, there are only four active cases of Covid-19 in India, the virologist said.“For most cases, we need not worry because Covid-19 has become like another flu-like disease. People now know how to handle it and hence, they are not coming out for diagnosis. Unless they come out for diagnosis, there is no way we can understand the actual status of Covid-19 in India.”
Routine surveillance is ongoing, and international travellers are randomly checked — around 2 per cent. “The majority of the population is not vaccinated, and we don’t expect Covid-19 to cause severe disease anymore. Infections will happen but won’t cause significant damage.”
