Two cases of HMPV virus detected in Bengaluru among five across the country

Bengaluru: Two confirmed cases of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka were among the five reported from the country, including two in Tamil Nadu and one in Gujarat, amid an outbreak in China. Union Health Minister J P Nadda sought to assuage fears, saying the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry.

In the official release, the Union Health Ministry quoted the ICMR to reveal that both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, “as part of ICMR's ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country”. Both cases were detected at the Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru.

Going forward, SARI cases have to be tested for HMP virus but no other specific guidelines have been issued from the Centre besides general preventive measures. The department will not undertake any specific or random testing for HMPV unless the Centre instructs states to do so.

“It is 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. Furthermore, 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,” read the release.

According to the ICMR, a 3-month-old female infant, admitted to the hospital with a history of bronchopneumonia, and an 8-month-old male infant, both tested positive for HMPV. Neither of the two babies have any history of international travel.

The state health department, which also clarified that there was no need for panic, held a high-level meeting of its officials, who are learnt to have found that both cases had the normal strain of HMPV, which is not a cause for concern.

“We don't know what strain of virus is spreading in China. Without knowing that, we cannot say that this reported case is concerning. We have been reviewing all influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) from December to check for any strain that is concerning. There is no such concerning spike across the state or country,” said a well-placed source in the state health department.

The HMPV is a known virus (first discovered in 2001) that causes respiratory symptoms similar to that of a common cold, largely affecting children below the age of five. It is not a new virus.

Cases have been reported in the past, especially in the winter season, note experts and health department officials, making it not an immediate concern, unless an unusual spike is observed.

In December 2024, 714 suspected cases of HMPV were tested in 16 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) across the country, of which only nine were confirmed positive.