Two Babies in Bengaluru Diagnosed with HMPV, First Cases Reported in India

Two infants in Bengaluru have tested positive for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), marking the first officially reported cases of the respiratory virus in India. The patients—a three-month-old baby who has since been discharged and an eight-month-old still recovering in a hospital—had no recent travel history, according to the Karnataka health department.

The cases were detected during routine surveillance conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for respiratory viral pathogens. “HMPV is a globally circulating virus, including in India, and has been associated with respiratory illnesses in various countries,” the Union Health Ministry said in a statement.

In light of these developments, the Health Ministry convened a meeting today to assess preparedness for managing HMPV cases.

What is HMPV?

Human Metapneumovirus is a respiratory virus that typically causes mild cold-like symptoms but can lead to complications, especially in infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The virus can sometimes trigger pneumonia or worsen chronic respiratory conditions. Cases of HMPV generally rise during the winter and early spring.

Nationwide Monitoring Intensified

The Centre is closely monitoring HMPV trends alongside other respiratory viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Recent respiratory illness outbreaks in China have also prompted enhanced vigilance.

On January 4, a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), comprising representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), ICMR, and other health agencies, reviewed the current situation. The Health Ministry stated that surveillance data in India does not indicate any unusual rise in respiratory infections so far.

Strengthened Surveillance and Testing

To mitigate risks, the government has increased laboratory capacity for HMPV testing and tasked the ICMR with monitoring its trends throughout the year. Surveillance systems like the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the ICMR network are actively tracking influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases nationwide.

Hospitals have been instructed to enhance isolation protocols for suspected cases, ensure the availability of essential medicines, and promptly report ILI and SARI cases through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).

The Health Ministry has assured the public of its continued efforts to track respiratory illnesses and urged vigilance, particularly in light of the seasonal surge in respiratory infections.