India has confirmed its first two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the southern state of Karnataka. The virus, which is believed to have originated in China, was detected by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The two patients are a three-month-old female infant and an eight-month-old male infant, both with a history of bronchopneumonia. The female infant was admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru, while the male infant was tested on January 3 after being admitted to the same hospital. The baby girl has already been discharged, and the male infant is in recovery, according to the Ministry of Health.
Both patients have no history of international travel. The Health Ministry clarified that HMPV is already circulating globally, including in India, and has been associated with respiratory illnesses in various countries.
Despite these cases, the Ministry of Health assured that there has been no unusual rise in influenza-like illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country, according to data from the ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). The situation is being closely monitored through surveillance channels, and the ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year.
