No cause for alarm over HMPV virus spread in China: Indian Health Agency

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) official Dr Atul Goel said there is nothing to be alarmed about the virus spreading in China at present.

However, there is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV, so prevention is key to controlling its spread, doctors have said.

"There has been news doing the rounds about a Metapneumovirus outbreak in China. Let me be very clear on that count. Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus which causes common cold, and in the very old and the very young it could cause flu-like symptoms," Dr Goel told reporters on Friday.

"We have analysed data on the respiratory outbreaks within the country. There is no substantial increase in December 2024 data and no cases which have been reported in large numbers from any of our institutions," he said.

Dr Goel said there is an increased outbreak of respiratory virus infections in winter, for which hospitals are usually prepared with supplies and beds.

"One thing I would like to convey to the public is to take general precautions that we use against all respiratory infections, which means if somebody has a cough and cold, you should avoid coming in contact with a lot of people so that the infection does not spread," he said.

"Use a distinct handkerchief or towel for coughing and sneezing and take normal medicines that are required for cold or fever whenever it is there, otherwise there is nothing to be alarmed about the present situation," he added.

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the Union Health Ministry is also closely monitoring respiratory and seasonal influenza cases, and is in touch with international agencies, ANI reported.

The spread of the new respiratory disease in China has raised fears of another COVID-like situation worldwide.

On Tuesday, China insisted that it had shared information on COVID-19 "without holding anything back" after the World Health Organisation (WHO) implored China to offer more data and access to understand the disease's origins.