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India on Monday reported three cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) as two infants in Bengaluru and one infant in Ahmedabad tested positive for the virus.
Health minister JP Nadda (ANI)
As India reports three cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) on Monday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda addressed the concerns saying that it is not a new virus. He further urged the citizens not to panic and remain calm.
The virus, first identified in 2001, has been present globally for several years, he said.
Nadda released a video message in which he emphasised that the government is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to ensure public safety.
#WATCH | Union Health Minister JP Nadda says, “Health experts have clarified that #HMPV is not a new virus. It was first identified in 2001 and it has been circulating in the entire world since many years. HMPV spreads through air, by way of respiration. This can affect persons… pic.twitter.com/h1SSshe2iQ— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2025
“Health experts have clarified that HMPV is not a new virus. It was first identified in 2001 and it has been circulating in the entire world since many years. HMPV spreads through air, by way of respiration. This can affect persons of all age groups. The virus spreads more during the winter and the early spring months,” he said.
Follow HMPV Virus Live Updates Here
Responding to the concerns over the surge in HMPV cases in China, Nadda said that Indian health agencies and authorities are actively monitoring the situation.
“The Health Ministry, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are keeping a close watch on developments in China and neighbouring countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged the situation and will provide a detailed report shortly,” he said.
The union minister further said that the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) shows no significant surge in respiratory viral pathogens in India as of now.
“The country’s health systems and surveillance networks remain vigilant to ensure a prompt response to any emerging health challenges. There is no reason to worry. We are closely monitoring the situation,” he added.
India Reports 3 Cases of HMPV
Three infants tested positive for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka and Gujarat on Monday, the first reported cases of the virus in India.
Two of the three cases were detected in Karnataka by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.
A three-month-old female infant with a history of bronchopneumonia was diagnosed with HMPV in Bengaluru. She has already been discharged, the health ministry said.
Additionally, an eight-month-old male infant with a history of bronchopneumonia tested positive for HMPV on January 3 after being admitted to Baptist Hospital. He is now recovering, it said.
A two-month-old boy admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad also tested positive for HMPV. The infant, who hails from Dungarpur in Rajasthan, was admitted to the hospital on December 24, 2024, with symptoms of respiratory infection.
Initially, the child needed ventilator support but his condition is stable now, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation medical officer Bhavin Solanki said, as reported by news agency PTI.
What Is HMPV?
HMPV is a globally recognised respiratory virus that recently gained attention after its outbreak was reported in China. It is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in people of all age groups.
According to the Cleveland Clinic website, a virus — a small germ that uses your cells to make more copies of itself — causes human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
It is a virus that usually causes symptoms similar to the common cold. It often causes upper respiratory infections, but it can sometimes cause lower respiratory infections like pneumonia, asthma flare-ups or make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse.
HMPV infections are more common in the winter and early spring.
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