Gujarat reported its first case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) on Monday, involving a two-month-old boy from Dungarpur, Rajasthan. The infant is currently in stable condition and being monitored in isolation, according to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. This marks India’s third confirmed HMPV case.
Earlier, two HMPV cases were confirmed in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The first involved a three-month-old girl, who was treated for bronchopneumonia and later discharged, while the second case, detected on January 3, involved an eight-month-old boy, who is stable and recovering.
Both Bengaluru cases had no history of international travel, indicating they were locally acquired and not connected to the HMPV surge in China.
Health authorities are increasing vigilance regarding respiratory illnesses, especially following reports of rising HMPV cases in China. However, the Union Health Ministry has assured the public that there is no cause for panic, emphasizing that robust surveillance systems are in place.
The Health Ministry reassured that HMPV is a known virus, circulating globally, including in India. Surveillance data from ICMR and IDSP has shown no significant increase in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. The ministry is actively monitoring the situation in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). The ICMR has pledged to track HMPV trends year-round and improve laboratory testing capabilities.
HMPV is a common respiratory virus that mainly affects children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. While it is not known to cause pandemics, it can sometimes lead to complications in vulnerable groups.
