Why HMPV is unlikely to cause a new pandemic
India TodayIndia has reported cases of Human Metapneumovirus, a key health concern emerging from China. "It's important to note the recent rise in HMPV cases in China fits seasonal patterns and higher awareness and testing," Dr Mehta pointed out, adding, "At this point, health authorities, including the WHO, have not said that HMPV threatens a pandemic." Dr Vikas Mittal, Pulmonologist, Department of Respiratory Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Punjabi Bagh, explained, "HMPV becomes serious only when it affects someone with a weak immune system. Dr Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Lead Consultant and Head of Department, Interventional Pulmonology and Lung Transplant, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, said that it’s too early to associate HMPV with a pandemic. Gurugram-based pulmonologist Dr Mohit Bhardwaj agreed that HMPV will not create a Covid-19 pandemic-like situation, as the SARS-CoV-2 virus was completely new in humans and arose from a spill-over from animals and spread to pandemic levels because there were no prior exposures or protective immunity in the community.