What is human coronavirus-HKU1 recently identified in India? Is it more dangerous than COVID-causing coronavirus?
The news of a woman from Kolkata getting infected with the Human Coronavirus HKU1 has raised several health concerns as people relate it to the COVID causing coronavirus. The 45 year old was suffering from fever, cough, and cold for the past 15 days.
HKU1 was named after Hong Kong University where it was originally described in 2004. HKU1 is also known as Betacoronavirus hongkonense. It is a species of coronavirus that affects humans and animals. HKU1 is one of the four common cold-causing coronaviruses — NL63, OC43, 229E. On the other hand, three coronaviruses cause severe disease — Covid virus, the MERS virus, and the SARS virus.
Is it more infectious?
“HKU1 is one of several common cold-causing viruses that belong to the coronavirus group. It is not the same as Covid-19 and is not a new virus,” Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Chairman, Scientific Committee, IMA Cochin told IANS.
According to Dr. Monica Mahajan, Director – Internal Medicine, Max Healthcare, ” Human Coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1) derives its name Betacoronavirus hongkonese from the fact that it was isolated from a Hong Kong citizen in 2004. This RNA virus is known to infect both humans and animals. In most cases it causes common cold but severe infection can result in preumonia and breathing difficulty. Infact, the initial patient in Hongkong had presented with pneumonia and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) after a recent trip to China.”
“There is no reason to panic. HCoV-HKU1 causes milder infection than SARS & MERS virus. Most patients will have flu like symptoms with runny nose, sore throat, body aches, headache and fever,” says Dr Mahajan.
“As per current understanding, HKU1 is a coronavirus subtype. It is less likely to cause any widespread infection,” Dr. Harshal R Salve, Additional professor at, the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, told IANS.
Who is more at risk?
“Infants, young children and senior citizens are more vulnerable to complications. People with low immunity like diabetics, cancer patients and those with lung disease are more prone to severe disease. It spreads from person to person by respiratory droplets due to coughing and sneezing,” says Dr Mahajan.
“At the moment the entire globe has a surge in cases of influenza. This is due to two reasons – the influenza virus mutates very quickly and vaccine against influenza does not provide 100% protection. Secondly, there is a herd immunity due to large scale vaccination for SARS-CoV2 or COVID-19 virus. So the predominant virus in circulation at present is the influenza virus,” she adds.
Treatment for HKU1
Dr Mahajan says, “There is no point in testing for HKU1 in every patient as the treatment is symptomatic with paracetamol and antihistamines. Hydration and rest are important. Currently, there is no vaccine for HKU-1. Basic cough etiquettes while coughing and sneezing, avoiding contact with a patient with flu like illnesses and a healthy diet consumption is all that needs to be followed.”
