Recently, China reported the outspread of a virus known as Human Metapneumovirus, which has caused a rise in concerns in India since some cases have already been reported. The CDC in China confirmed the news and who has been a subject of concern recently stated that it is leading to higher death rates.

The Center for Disease Control claims that “children and the elderly are most at risk of being infected by HMPV, and other respiratory viruses for that matter, while the immunocompromised population is more likely to experience wheezing, nasopharyngeal, fever and cough. In exceptional cases such as severe instances of the virus, bronchitis or pneumonia may also occur.”

Identifying key individuals, the agency cautioned of the harsh consequences that may follow. As per their analysis published in *Lancet Global Health*, 1pc of pneumonia deaths among children comes from conditions HPMV adds to. Also, no effective drugs or vaccination are available at the moment to treat this condition, therefore, we can only focus on treating the symptoms accordingly.

Dr. Amit K Maji and Dr. Manisha Soni brief us about Bhailal Amin General Hospital and ‘’HMPV is a developing respiratory virus that can infect children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and the list goes on. It has been able to cause both upper and lower respiratory infections and has been around since 2001’’.

The virus is part of the family Pneumoviridae and it affects the respiratory tract, similar to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus. HMPV is mostly accompanied by an incubation period of up to 6 days starting from a gradual cold to a respiratory infection as the disease progresses.

HMPV does not spread as rapidly as SARS-CoV-2 virus related infections such as COVID-19, however it can result in flu-like symptoms similar to common cold and other bacteria related infections.

HMPV usually develops along with a common cold, cough, runny nose and even fever or stuffy nose.Severe cases can result in bronchitis, pneumonia, and even respiration and wheezing problems.

Anyone is vulnerable to the HMPV virus but more commonly children, the elderly, and those with a weak immune system and respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD get infected.