India reported Monday seven cases of human metapneumovirus ( HMPV ) infection in children - two each in Bengaluru, Nagpur and Tamil Nadu, and one in Ahmedabad -amid a surge in respiratory illnesses in China. However, Union health minister J P Nadda allayed concerns, saying the rise in cases won't lead to a Covid-like outbreak. "HMPV is not a new virus.
It was first identified in 2001, and it has been circulating around the world for many years," Nadda said. Experts said HMPV rarely requires hospitalisation, and timely intervention can prevent complications. Nadda said the health ministry, along with Indian Council of Medical Research and National Centre for Disease Control, was monitoring the situation in China and neighbouring countries.
"WHO has taken cognisance of the situation and will share its report shortly with us," he said. ICMR confirmed two cases at Bangalore Baptist Hospital. A three-month-old girl from Bengaluru, admitted with fever and cold in December, tested positive and has since recovered and been discharged.
The second case of HMPV, detected on January 3, involves an eight-month-old boy admitted for fever following an injury. He tested positive for both HMPV and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and is currently recovering. Both children have a history of bronchopneumonia and neither has travelled abroad, suggesting they contracted the infection locally.
A two-month-old from Dungarpur in Rajasthan was admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad on Dec 24 wi.
