As of yesterday, Bhutan has not reported any case of HMPV

Thinley Namgay

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reported two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) through routine surveillance in Karnataka, India yesterday.

Both patients, infants under the age of 10 months, are receiving treatment. The three-month-old female has been discharged, while the eight-month-old male is currently recovering.

Indian media also reported another case of HMPV in Gujarat.

HMPV is a respiratory infection that causes symptoms similar to flu or common cold. In vulnerable groups—such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems—it can lead to severe complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia.

Typical symptoms of HMPV infection include cough, fever, nasal congestion, a runny nose, and shortness of breath.

Health officials emphasise the importance of preventive measures, such as staying home, practicing good cough etiquette, wearing masks, and maintaining hand hygiene.

ICMR mentioned in its press release that both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens as part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country.

However, the current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme network stressed that there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness cases in India.

Situation in Bhutan

As of yesterday, Bhutan has reported no cases of HMPV, according to the Ministry of Health.

In a statement released on January 4, the Ministry of Health (MoH) assured the public that the risk of HMPV in the country is relatively low and the ministry  will  monitor the situation both domestically and globally to assess the risks.

“The Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC) conducts National Respiratory Virus Sentinel Surveillance through seven Influenza-like Illness (ILI) sentinel hospitals and eleven Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) sentinel hospitals,” the ministry stated.

Sentinel hospitals detect cases as per the surveillance case definitions, collect necessary information along with the clinical specimens, and further relay the weekly ILI and SARI aggregate age-based data through an electronic-based system to RCDC, while the samples are shipped to a designated Regional PCR testing laboratory.

The collected samples are currently analysed for the presence of three pathogens: SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and other respiratory viruses like RSV using RT-PCR technology.

The health ministry stated that during epidemiological weeks 50 and 51 (December 16-29),  56 samples were received from sentinel sites. Among these, 11 cases of Influenza and three cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections were detected. “Currently, no active Influenza outbreak has been reported in the country.”

Although the MoH has diagnostic capabilities, including RT-PCR and gene sequencing, it lacks reagents for HMPV testing at the moment. However, the ministry is working to procure the necessary materials to detect HMPV if the situation escalates.

The incubation period of HMPV is estimated at three to six days, and the median duration of illness can vary depending on severity but is similar to other respiratory infections caused by viruses.

Global concern

Health experts worldwide have raised alarms about the potential for widespread transmission of HMPV, similar to the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The virus spreads easily, and while no antiviral treatment or vaccine is currently available, several vaccines are under development.

As international reports cautioned travellers to reconsider their travel plans to China for the time being, Beijing issued a press statement to address such concerns on January 3.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has not yet issued a statement regarding the outbreak of the virus in China, and no state of emergency has been declared by the WHO or China.

However, a video is making rounds on social media showing hospitals in China overwhelmed amid a severe flu outbreak, including Influenza A and HMPV, similar to the 2020 Covid-19  surge.

HMPV, reported in many  countries, has been around since at least 2001 when it was first identified in the Netherlands. The outbreaks are concentrated during colder seasons. Research has shown that HMPV has been circulating in humans for at least 50 years.