Human metapneumovirus not new to Pakistan, detected here since 2001: NIH

• NIH official advises the public to remain calm.
• Increased vigilance, preparedness is vital.
• People should focus on preventive measures.

Islamabad: The much-discussed human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which has garnered international attention due to a recent outbreak in China, has been circulating in Pakistan for at least two decades, federal health authorities said on Saturday.

First detected in Pakistan in 2001, HMPV has caused several outbreaks over the years, mostly affecting children, they claimed.

“Human metapneumovirus was first identified in Pakistan in 2001 and cases have been reported since then,” said an official at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. The News.

“In 2015, a study conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) found 21 cases of HMPV in children hospitalized with severe lower respiratory tract infections.”

No need to panic with reports from China

Urging the public to remain calm amid news of HMPV spreading in China, NIH officials pointed out that Pakistan is currently witnessing an epidemic of seasonal influenza, including influenza A and B.

“People should focus on preventive measures such as regular hand washing and adopting proper cough etiquette to avoid contracting viral diseases,” the NIH official advises.

The official also revealed that the National Center for Command and Operations (NCOC) will discuss the situation in a meeting on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Border Health Services (BHS) are on high alert at all points of entry into the country to monitor possible cases.

Detection and Preparedness in Pakistan

“Because we already have this virus in our environment, we have the kits and expertise to detect all HMPV genotypes,” the NIH official said, adding that no samples have been taken from health facilities so far.

Commenting on the outbreak in China, the NIH expert explained that children born during strict COVID-19 restrictions may not have been exposed to common pathogens, making them more vulnerable to serious illness when they encounter new viruses.

The study highlights HMPV in Islamabad

A 2015 study conducted at PIMS in Islamabad investigated the prevalence, genetic diversity and seasonality of HMPV in children under five years of age with severe acute respiratory infections (Sari).

Of the 127 throat swabs analyzed, 16.5% were positive for HMPV. Genotype B2 was the most common strain, followed by A2b, A2a and B1.

“HMPV cases peaked during the winter months, particularly November and December, with symptoms including cough, wheezing, fever and difficulty breathing,” the study noted. Serious cases showed infiltrates in the lungs, requiring hospitalization.

The study highlighted the genetic similarity between Pakistani HMPV strains and those found in India, China and Singapore.

Experts stressed the need for extensive surveillance and multi-year studies to better understand the seasonality and clinical impact of the virus.

Seasonal flu remains a bigger concern

According to the NIH, Pakistan is currently experiencing an increase in seasonal flu cases.

Both influenza A and influenza B are spreading across the country, causing flu-like symptoms that can lead to serious illness in children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

The NIH urged the public to adopt preventive measures and seek early medical attention to effectively manage symptoms.

Implications and recommendations

Health experts called for a robust surveillance system to monitor HMPV and other respiratory viruses. “Pakistan has the capacity to detect and manage HMPV outbreaks, but heightened vigilance and preparedness are critical,” the NIH official concluded.