On a day when five cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) were detected in India - two each in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and one in Gujarat - Kerala health minister Veena George said that there was no reason to worry.

"Kerala government had initiated preventive measures the moment we received reports of an outbreak of fever and pneumonia in China," Veena George said on Monday, January 6, after convening a high-level meeting of Health Department officials in Thiruvananthapuram.

"We are carefully monitoring the situation, especially respiratory ailments in children, and we have fortified preventive measures based on regular input from experts," the minister said.

"Though HMPV was detected only in 2001, it is believed that the virus has been active in all parts of the world, especially among children, for over 50 years," George said. Her message is that it was too common a virus to be dangerous. "Since it has not acquired any new genetic mutation, there is nothing to be apprehensive about," she said. Neither WHO experts nor experts in China have detected any significant mutation in the virus.

In India, the HMPV has been detected in infants. These infants have no history of international travel.

The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), too, had said that HMPV was already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries.

Further, based on current data from 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.

The Kerala health minister said that HMPV infection could cause serious flare-ups in these groups: elderly, infants, pregnant women, those with respiratory illness and those with serious underlying medical problems like heart diseases, blood pressure, kidney and liver ailments. She said masks can function as a preventive device.

HMPV has cold-like symptoms like cough, fever, nasal congestion and shortness of breath.

Preventive measures
- Use masks since the virus spreads through the air.
- Avoid unnecessary hospital visits. If unavoidable, strictly wear a mask.
- Cover face while sneezing or coughing.
- Ensure adequate ventilation in rooms.
- Keep diabetes and blood pressure under control.
- Drink adequate amounts of water to avoid dehydration.