Former WHO scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, has stressed that there is no direct correlation between HMPV and the Covid-19 virus.
The emergence of Human Metapneumovirus has garnered global attention, including in India, where the Health Ministry confirmed cases of the virus even as there were no links to travel. However, all infected individuals are reportedly recovering well.
While both viruses may be respiratory pathogens, they belong to entirely different groups, Swaminathan explained in conversation with NDTV.
"The Covid virus is another group of viruses...We know how this virus spreads, through droplets infection and through airborne transmission. We also know very well now what are the precautions that we can take to prevent that kind of spread," she added, underlining that these basic measures are common to all respiratory viruses.
Swaminathan stressed that the focus should be on research and development to combat these viruses. "On the R&D side, we need to invest in developing what are called countermeasures, which are diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines to deal not only with HMPV now because we are hearing about HMPV, but the whole family of viruses and bacteria that we know are a threat to humans and that can at any time in the future become, potentially an epidemic or pandemic," she noted, calling for preparedness in the face of evolving threats.
Addressing concerns regarding potential mutations of the HMPV virus, Swaminathan reassured that current data shows no signs of alarming changes. "From the data that we have now, there does not seem to be any new mutation and this virus is the same virus in China and India," she explained. "There has been no mutation, nothing, no cause for concern as of now," she emphasised.
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