Summary:
- India reports first three HMPV cases: two infants in Bengaluru’s Baptist Hospital and one in Ahmedabad, with patients showing bronchopneumonia symptoms but in stable condition.
- None of the infected infants have international travel history, indicating possible local transmission of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) within India.
- Health authorities emphasize HMPV is not a new threat and confirm no unusual surge in respiratory illnesses, with surveillance systems actively monitoring the situation.
- Karnataka and Delhi governments implement preparedness measures while health experts reassure that most HMPV cases are self-limiting with manageable symptoms.
India has confirmed three cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in infants, prompting health authorities to initiate preparedness measures across the country. Two cases were identified in Bengaluru, Karnataka, while a third case was reported in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad.
The first two cases emerged at Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru through routine surveillance conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). A three-month-old female infant diagnosed with bronchopneumonia has already been discharged, while an eight-month-old male infant who tested positive on January 3 is currently recovering.
The third case involves a two-month-old infant from Rajasthan who was admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad’s Chandkheda locality. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed that the child had traveled from neighboring Rajasthan.
“HMPV is an existing flu virus causing respiratory issues and is not a cause for panic,” stated Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, emphasizing that none of the affected infants had any history of international travel.
In response to these developments, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has directed the Health & Family Welfare Department to implement comprehensive preparedness measures. “All hospitals should be completely prepared to handle any potential increase in respiratory illness as per the advice of Union Health Ministry,” his directive stated.
HMPV, discovered in 2001, is a globally recognized respiratory virus that primarily affects the lungs and airways. While it can infect individuals of all ages, young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
The Union Health Ministry has assured that there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases nationwide. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation through established surveillance networks, with the ICMR maintaining vigilant tracking of HMPV circulation patterns.
“Most cases present with symptoms such as cold, cough, and fever, which are self-limiting and manageable with general medicine at home,” explained Dr. Suresh Gupta, pediatrician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
The emergence of these cases comes amid global attention on respiratory illness outbreaks in China, though Indian health officials emphasize that HMPV is a well-known pathogen with significant prior exposure in the population.
Source: The Daily Star
