After two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) were confirmed at Bengaluru's Baptist Hospital, a third one was suspected in Gujarat. All three are infants but further details on the baby from Gujarat are awaited. The Directorate General of Health Services said there is no need for alarm.
The infants in Bengaluru have no international travel history, according to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The first case was a three-month-old girl who has a history of broncho-pneumonia. The infant has been discharged from Baptist Hospital.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka. Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR's ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses… pic.twitter.com/PtKYmgztKb
— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2025
The second case was an eight-month-old boy who tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025. The baby is recovering at Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru. He was also suffering from broncho-pneumonia.
#HealthForAll
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 6, 2025
Update on #HMPV
.@ICMRDELHI Detects Two Cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka through routine surveillance
Surveillance System Robust, No Unusual Surge in ILI or SARI cases in the countryhttps://t.co/uXIgltmOdE
Both the cases were identified during routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens. ICMR said it was part of the council's efforts to monitor such illnesses across the country, stated the Union Health Ministry.
However, the ministry said there is no unusual spike in the number of HMPV cases in the country. Based on current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country," it stated.
The government has raised the laboratory capacity for HMPV testing amid global reports of HMPV cases. Hospitals have been instructed to enhance their isolation protocols for suspected cases besides ensuring availability of essential medicines.
How serious is HMPV?
HMPV cases have seen a spike in northern China, especially among children. Those at risk include young children as well as elderly and the immunocompromised.
HMPV symptoms is often categorised under common cold. Though it is not a notifiable disease like Covid-19, it can lead to more serious illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning last week said respiratory infections see a peak during winter but they are less severe.
