Two Cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, govt says no reason to worry

No Unusual Surge in ILI or SARI cases in the country, assures ministry of health

Two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected in Karnataka, both of them through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens. This initiative is a part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country.

In a statement, the ministry of health and family welfare emphasized that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries. Reports have now also surfaced about a third case of the respiratory ailment from Ahmedabad.

HMPV infection causes symptoms similar to cold. Most cases are mild but people with existing illnesses or the very young or very old have a risk of being more sick. Over the last few weeks, many cases of HMPV have been reported from China with some suggesting that hospitals and crematoriums there are overwhelmed.

Based on current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country. The two cases in Bangalore are of  a 3-month-old baby girl, who was diagnosed after being admitted to Baptist Hospital with a history of bronchopneumonia and a 8 month old boy who tested positive earlier this month, also in the same hospital. The girl has been discharged. 

Neither of the affected patients have any history of international travel. The Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. ICMR, the government said, will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) is already providing timely updates regarding the situation in China to further inform ongoing measures. The recent preparedness drill conducted across the country has shown that India is well-equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses and public health interventions can be deployed promptly if needed