Thiruvananthapuram: Around 20 cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is currently spreading in China and creating panic in other parts of the world, were detected in Kerala in 2024.

Kerala's Health Department made the finding in an internal inquiry covering the major laboratories across the state. The Institute of Advanced Technologies in Thiruvananthapuram detected 11 cases in 2024, of which 10 were children. HMPV was also detected at the institute in 2023.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Virology in Alappuzha and the State Public Health Laboratory also detected HMPV in several cases last year.

All these HMPV patients were discharged after treatment. "HMPV patients do not require special treatment or vaccine. When HMPV is detected in patients having fever or cold, they are given the regular medicines for these diseases," said a doctor.

A high-level meeting convened by the Health Department also felt that HMPV posed no public threat. However, elderly people, pregnant women, cancer-kidney patients, diabetics and people suffering from other diseases who should never be affected by any virus should be alert against HMPV, said doctors.