HMPV in India: Know similarities, differences between HMPV and Covid-19

India has reported three cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection, one in Gujarat's Ahmedabad and two in Bengaluru. The Union Health Ministry has emphasised that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with it have been reported in various countries. 

Furthermore, based on the current data from the ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country, it said. Amid this, many people are confused about the differences and similarities between HMPV and Covid-19. 

Similarities and differences between HMPV and Covid-19

Both affect the respiratory system. HMPV causes mild to moderate respiratory symptoms whereas SARS-COV2 might cause severe respiratory illness and hospitalization.

Like Covid-19, people infected with HMPV complain of fever, cough, sore throat, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Both diseases can spread through respiratory droplets and by contacting contaminated surfaces.

HMPV and Covid-19 both belong to different groups of viruses.

HMPV is a negative sense single-stranded RNA virus which belongs to the pneumoviridae family whereas SARS-COV2 belongs to the coronaviridae positive-stranded RNA virus. 

HMPV can't trigger a pandemic as most people have developed immunity against it, ICMR's ex-scientist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar said.

Standard measures like hand hygiene, mask-wearing, and social distancing help curb transmission.

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