No travel history to China but HMPV cases are rising in India due to…

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also issued advisory, requesting people to be vigilant against respiratory illnesses nationwide.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Monday announced that two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been reported from India’s southern state of Karnataka. According to reports, the cases were detected in a two-month-old girl and an eight-month-old boy, both with a family history of bronchopneumonia. Surprisingly, neither the children nor their families had any international travel history. While the girl has been discharged after tests, the boy is still admitted to Bengaluru Baptist Hospital. However, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) sources indicated that he might be discharged soon.

Health Ministry’s Response and Surveillance Measures

Confirming both cases, the Health Ministry stated that the children, who are already suffering from respiratory issues, are under the observation of doctors. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also issued advisory, requesting people to be vigilant against respiratory illnesses nationwide.

HMPV: A Viral Respiratory Illness

As per doctors, HMPV is a viral respiratory disease that causes symptoms similar to a common cold. Similar to Covid, it also spreads through airborne particles and can have symptoms like runny nose to severe conditions, chest pain and difficulty in breathing.

HMPV Cases Are Not New to India

The ministry stated that HMPV is not new to India. Cases of respiratory illnesses linked to the virus have been reported in several countries. Data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) indicates many cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in the country.

Preparedness and Ongoing Monitoring

The ministry assured that India is prepared and well-equipped to handle a potential rise in respiratory illnesses, thanks to recent preparedness exercises. It also recommended increasing lab testing under ICMR’s network to monitor HMPV trends year-round. Surveillance has been initiated in states like Karnataka, Delhi, and Kerala, with public advisories issued for isolation and precautionary measures in suspected cases.

Expert Opinions

Health experts noted that HMPV has been present in India for several years, primarily affecting children aged 6 to 12 months, though it can also occur in children up to 14 years. The Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Atul Goel, highlighted that HMPV causes flu-like symptoms, similar to other respiratory viruses in young children.