India Reports its First Elderly HMPV Case in Ahmedabad, Say Officials

The recent surge in HMPV cases in India has sparked a fearful panic among the public.  This may be due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, which continued to affect people’s perceptions. Following reports of new cases in India, the country confirms its first elderly HMPV case in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Thursday, January 9, after an 80-year-old man tested positive. 

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) confirmed the case, stating that “the patient had a history of asthma and was first admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, January 8. The following day, his sample tested positive for the virus. Right now, the patient is stable, receiving treatment at a private hospital, and has no travel history abroad”, the AMC said in an official statement.

HMPV is a respiratory virus first identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, which causes symptoms similar to the common cold, including a runny nose, breathing difficulties, and chest pain. The infection can range from mild to severe, most commonly affecting vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those predisposed to respiratory illness (eg: asthma, COPD). It spreads through droplets, direct contact, and possibly airborne particles. Thus, the officials have said to take preventive measures such as washing hands regularly, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and wearing mask in public places.

The Union Health Ministry had stated on Wednesday, emphasizing that, “like many other respiratory viruses, HMPV is a mild and self-limiting infection affecting people of all ages, particularly during winters and most people recover on their own”. 

This is the second HMPV case reported in Gujarat this year. The first case, a two-month-old boy was detected on January 6, but has since been discharged following treatment. 

Since it’s the first HMPV case among elders in the country, the central authority has called upon the state government to take necessary steps to monitor respiratory illness and also to focus on creating public awareness to prevent its transmission.

(Input from various media sources)

(Rehash/ Dr Disha Merlyn Mathias/MSM)