In a concerning development, two patients at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur have died after being infected with human coronavirus strains that have been in circulation for over two decades. The viruses identified were 229E, NL63, and HKU1—strains that generally cause mild respiratory illness and are often associated with the common cold. However, in these cases, the infections turned fatal due to the patients’ pre-existing health conditions.
The hospital confirmed that the detection was made through advanced Biofire technology, which can simultaneously identify multiple pathogens. The cases involved three patients: a 49-year-old diabetic woman infected with the NL63 strain, a 70-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) infected with the HKU1 strain, and a 77-year-old patient who contracted 229E but recovered after treatment. While the third patient was discharged in stable condition, the other two succumbed to severe pneumonia-like complications.
Doctors at SMS Hospital have described these deaths as unprecedented, noting that although these strains have circulated for years, this is the first time such fatalities have occurred at the facility. The sudden deterioration in the condition of the deceased patients has raised questions about possible genetic mutations in the virus or increased vulnerability in individuals with weakened immunity.
These coronaviruses—229E, discovered in 1966; NL63, identified in the Netherlands in 2004; and HKU1, found in Hong Kong the same year—typically cause seasonal respiratory infections. While they are not new to the medical community and have been sporadically detected since 2011 at SMS Hospital, the recent fatal outcomes are a significant deviation from the norm. Symptoms in all three cases closely resembled those seen during COVID-19 infections, including fever, cough, and breathing difficulties.
Experts believe that while the viruses themselves may not have become more dangerous, changes in patient immunity or undiagnosed complications could be contributing factors. They also point to the possibility of viral mutation, as has been seen with other respiratory viruses over time. In the wake of these deaths, doctors are now urging for a broader approach to respiratory diagnostics, which includes testing for all known human coronavirus strains, not just SARS-CoV-2.
The two fatalities occurred in April, and hospital staff have since heightened monitoring and response protocols. Medical professionals are particularly concerned about the impact of these viruses on patients with existing comorbidities such as diabetes, respiratory conditions, and weakened immune systems. They advise vulnerable populations to exercise caution during the monsoon and winter seasons when respiratory infections are more prevalent.
The incident has reignited discussions about the need for continued vigilance even against viruses that are typically seen as benign. It also highlights the importance of strengthening diagnostic infrastructure and preparing for the evolving behavior of known pathogens. As the medical community assesses the implications of these rare deaths, the focus remains on prevention, early detection, and enhanced patient care protocols.
