The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in India’s Karnataka.

As part of ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses nationwide, the ICMR detected these two cases. One case involves an eight-month-old male infant in Bengaluru, whose sample collected on January 2 tested positive for HMPV. According to sources in the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) health department, the infant and their family had no recent travel history and showed no concerning symptoms.

The second case involves a three-month-old female infant with a history of bronchopneumonia, who tested positive for HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She has since been discharged and is recovering, the Union Health ministry said.

HMPV primarily affects children and is known to be present in about 0.7 per cent of flu cases globally. However, Karnataka health officials have stated that they lack detailed information on the specific strain in question.

Responding to the developments, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday, "This is not India's first case. The virus has been around for years, but this could be a new strain. More details are needed to ascertain that."

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, "It has been found in two children. I talked to Dinesh Gundu Rao who is in-charge of the health department. He took up a meeting with the department. Whatever decision it takes, the government will implement it. The government will take all precautionary measures and document this disease."

What is HMPV?

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has recently garnered attention due to videos and reports circulating on social media, suggesting that hospitals in China are overwhelmed by a surge in respiratory illnesses, including HMPV. Posts also claim that outbreaks of multiple viruses, including HMPV, influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, have contributed to overcrowding in both hospitals and cemeteries.

HMPV, first identified in 2001 by researchers in the Netherlands, is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, according to the American Lung Association. The virus primarily spreads through close contact with infected individuals, either through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or by touching contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs or toys.

In the United States, HMPV typically circulates more frequently during the winter and spring months, overlapping with other respiratory infections like Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu.

Symptoms of HMPV

The symptoms of HMPV can vary in severity and commonly include cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat. Some individuals may also experience wheezing and shortness of breath (dyspnea). In certain cases, a rash may develop as part of the infection.

Source: Hindustan Times

BDST: 1624 HRS, JAN 6, 2025
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