Old ailment, known pathogen: A warning against HMPV panic

HMPV is a common respiratory virus with low alarm; many are exposed by age 5. Current Indian cases are mild, with no unusual surge reported.

For everyone holding their breath over fears of HMPV, here’s a quick summary: it’s an old ailment, caused by a known pathogen, and many people are likely to have been exposed to the virus by the time they are five years old. Now, read on, and as the good book says: Don’t Panic!

Pedestrians walk past a wall mural promoting awareness on using face masks, in Bengaluru on Monday. (AFP)

Several states on Monday announced they had detected infections of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), days after reports of an outbreak in China caused concern in India, especially