What is HMPV?
The discovery of human metapneumovirusor HMPV, dates back to 2000, when a group of Dutch scientists set out to discover what caused acute respiratory infections in humans. They found an unknown pathogen.
By 2001, Dutch scientists had sequenced the metapneumovirus using a complex combination of specialized cultures and molecular techniques. But later serological studies (analysis of blood serum) on 28 children turned up something more interesting: the virus had been circulating in the Netherlands since 1958. And it had been increasing before. In fact, in the first months of 2023, the United States recorded an increase in HMPV detections.
Should you be worried?
Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, professor of microbiology at BJ Medical College in Pune, said: “Our bodies have adapted to their (viruses) presence over time. In most cases, infections from all viruses remain asymptomatic or mild, but for some people, especially those with underlying medical conditions, they can lead to serious illness and hospitalization. This was true for Covid-19 and also for HMPV. But unlike Covid-19, HMPV has been around for a long time and there is no evidence to suggest that it is spreading in India at a faster rate than before.”
Lead expert Dr GC Khilnani also noted that “the virus poses a significant risk to immunocompromised people and older adults.” Khilnani is a member of the WHO technical advisory group on global health and air pollution, and president of the PSRI Institute for Pulmonary Intensive Care and Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Sandeep Budhiraja of Max Healthcare explained that older people with HMPV with existing health problems such as diabetes, heart disease or kidney failure should take special care. While healthy adults experience mild symptoms, elderly patients can develop serious complications.
How is it spread?
What are the symptoms? HMPV is transmitted between humans through respiratory droplets. The incubation period is thought to be between 3 and 5 days, but can vary. According to the US CDC, there is currently no specific antiviral therapy to treat HMPV and there is no vaccine against it. Disease management involves supportive care.
The virus manifests itself as:
➤ Mild cases: Common cold-like symptoms
➤ Severe cases: Pneumonia or bronchopneumonia
How to perform the HMPV test?
HMPV testing often involves advanced methods such as the BioFire panel, which can detect multiple pathogens, including HMPV, in a single test. Many private laboratories in India perform this test, but the cost runs into thousands of rupees.
It is common in children; few cases are acute
Experts said HMPV is most common in the pediatric population, predominantly in children under two years of age.
About 5% to 10% of pediatric patients may end up in the hospital due to acute lower respiratory tract infections caused by HMPV. On average, doctors say that children younger than 6 months who contract HMPV infection are three times more likely to be hospitalized compared to those between 6 months and 5 years old.

Why are we seeing cases now?
Dr Amitav Banerjee, former field epidemiologist with the Indian Armed Forces, said: “The recent surge in China is due to ‘immunity debt’, i.e. children born during the pandemic were not exposed to the virus. in the first months. of life due to restrictive non-pharmacological interventions. “They are immune naïve and vulnerable, which leads to a large number of cases.”
Dr. Karyakarte noted that time also plays a role. “The mucus in our nasal passages, which serves as a protective barrier against pathogens, becomes less effective in cold, dry air. “Reduced moisture in mucus compromises this natural defense, making it easier for viruses to come into direct contact and infect nasal cells.”
He has been in India for years.
A pioneering study conducted in 2003 by BJ Medical College and NIV-Pune confirmed HMPV in children in Pune. The study found a positivity rate of 19.2% in 26 pediatric cases. Four of the five positive cases were under one year old. There were both mild and severe infection patterns.
In a 2006 AIIMS study, 12% of children under five years of age with acute respiratory illness (ARI) tested positive for HMPV. Most of these cases occurred during the winter months.
A 2013 NIV Pune study analyzed 224 clinical samples and identified multiple HMPV strains (A2, B1 and B2 lineages). A2 and B2 were found to be the predominant subtypes.
A 2014 Assam study found HMPV in 20 of 276 children (7.2%) under 5 years of age who had ARI symptoms. The study also noted that the highest prevalence of HMPV was detected in January (46.7%) followed by December (16.7%).
An ICMR study conducted in 2024 in Gorakhpur examined 100 pediatric patients with respiratory diseases, of whom 4% tested positive for HMPV. Among the positive cases, one death was reported.
what can you do
➤ Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
➤ Avoid close contact with sick people.
➤ Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose with dirty hands.
➤ Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Stay home when you are sick.
➤ Periodically clean surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, etc.
Contributions by Anuja Jaiswal, Lata Mishra and Eshan K