HMPV infection: Maharashtra health minister urges people not to panic

No case yet in Maharashtra; doctors say symptoms mild, similar to cold; PMC lists precautions.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Jan 7, 2025 10:47 AM IST

Dr Parikshit Prayag, infectious diseases consultant at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, said at any given point at least three to four cases are detected every year.(Source: Freepik)

State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has urged people not to panic over the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). “We are aware that this virus has been around for a while. Surveillance is underway and we will follow the Centre’s guidelines. Hence, let us stay positive and not panic,” Abitkar told The Indian Express.

Presently, not a single case has been reported in Maharashtra. Three cases have been detected in India, two in Karnataka and one in Ahmedabad. According to health officials, the surveillance system is robust and there is no unusual surge in Severe Acute Respiratory Infection or influenza-like illnesses. Experts pointed out that this is a virus that usually causes symptoms similar to cold. Most cases are mild, but children, adults over 65 and people with immuno-compromised systems are at a higher risk of serious illness.

Dr M S Chadha, former senior scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology said the virus has been there for quite sometime, especially in infants and older children. “It is not known to be severe,” she said.

Also Read | India’s HMPV infections not linked to China surge, says health ministry: Here’s all you need to know

Dr Parikshit Prayag, infectious diseases consultant at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, said at any given point at least three to four cases are detected every year.

According to Dr I S Gilada, consultant in infectious diseases, HMPV viral infection is a mild one. “It is self-limiting and cases have been there for several years. These are part of the common cold/viral infections,” he said.

There are Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests that can detect the viruses but this can be costly, Dr Gilada, who is also secretary general of People’s Health Organisation-India, said.

Dr Vaishali Jadhav, assistant health officer, Pune Municipal Corporation, in charge of the epidemic control programme, said there were no cases in Pune and that a list of precautions has been issued to ensure the infection doesn’t spread. The PMC has urged people to cover their nose and mouth with a handkerchief while sneezing or coughing and thoroughly wash their hands. Avoid spitting and maintain hygienic practices, Dr Jadhav said.

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Presently, the Naidu hospital has made arrangements for 50 isolation beds and five ICU beds.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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