HMPV Comes To India: 2 Babies Diagnosed In Bengaluru, 1 In Ahmedabad

Three cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) were reported in India today - a 3-month-old baby who has been discharged and an 8-month-old who is recovering at a hospital in Bengaluru - and a 2-month-old in Ahmedabad. This marks the first reported cases of HMPV in India. The infected infants and their families have no recent travel history, ruling out exposure from other regions or countries.

Following the two cases in Bengaluru, the Karnataka government issued an advisory, urging citizens to avoid going to public places if they're symptomatic and to wear masks in crowded areas to reduce the risk of transmission.

According to the details, one of the children had travelled to Tirupati. However, no international travel history was found in three children's cases. The cases were confirmed by the ICMR through routine surveillance.

The case of the eight-month-old child was confirmed by the Karnataka Health Department, which said medical tests of the child turned out to be positive. The case was conveyed to the Union Health Ministry, the Department said. It was not clear whether this was the same strain of HMPV causing a spike in China.

Meanwhile, The ICMR emphasised that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with it have been reported in various countries. The ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year.

A day earlier, on January 3, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in India said it was closely monitoring respiratory and seasonal influenza cases in the country and is in touch with international agencies in the wake of the recent reports of the HMPV outbreak in China. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and validate information and developments accordingly," a senior official said.

Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Atul Goel said the Human Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus that causes common cold, and it could cause flu-like symptoms in the young and the very old. He also advised the public to take the general precautions that are used to prevent respiratory infections which means if someone has a cough and cold they should avoid coming in contact with others so that the infection does not spread. People should follow respiratory etiquette and take normal medicines for cold and fever that are there, he said.