Bengaluru, January 6:
Two babies in Bengaluru have been diagnosed with Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), marking the first reported cases in India. The infants, a 3-month-old who has been discharged and an 8-month-old currently recovering in a hospital, have no recent travel history, indicating that their infections did not originate from outside the region.
These cases were detected through routine surveillance for various respiratory viruses, part of the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses. HMPV, which is already circulating globally, has caused respiratory issues in different countries, including India.
The Health Ministry has convened a meeting to discuss the preparedness for HMPV. HMPV is a respiratory virus that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms but can lead to more serious complications, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. In some cases, the virus can cause pneumonia or worsen chronic respiratory conditions. Such infections are often more prevalent during winter and early spring.
The Centre has been closely monitoring HMPV and other respiratory viruses, particularly in light of the recent rise in respiratory illnesses in China. A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), which included officials from the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and ICMR, convened on January 4 to assess the situation. However, current surveillance data from India does not show an unusual increase in respiratory infections.
In response, the Centre has enhanced laboratory capacity for HMPV testing. The ICMR will continue to monitor HMPV trends alongside other respiratory diseases, such as influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), throughout the year. Hospitals have been urged to reinforce isolation protocols for suspected cases, ensure the availability of necessary medications, and report any cases of ILI or SARI through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).
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