Bengaluru Reports Two Cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV): First in India
Bengaluru has reported its first-ever cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in India. The cases involve a 3-month-old infant, now discharged, and an 8-month-old baby recovering at a local hospital. Neither of the affected infants nor their families have a recent travel history, ruling out cross-regional exposure.
According to the Centre, these cases were detected during routine surveillance for respiratory pathogens under the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) monitoring efforts. “HMPV is already circulating globally, including in India, with respiratory illnesses linked to the virus reported in various countries,” stated the Centre.
HMPV is a respiratory virus known to cause mild, cold-like symptoms but can lead to complications such as pneumonia, particularly in infants, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Cases often peak during the winter and early spring months.
The Union Health Ministry has convened a high-level meeting today to discuss preparedness for HMPV and its potential impact. This follows an announcement on Sunday that the Centre is intensifying monitoring efforts for HMPV and other respiratory illnesses, especially after an uptick in such cases was reported in China.
A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), including representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), ICMR, and other health organizations, met on January 4 to assess the situation. Surveillance data from India indicates no unusual surge in respiratory illnesses at present, aligning with seasonal trends linked to viruses like influenza, RSV, and HMPV.
The Ministry continues to urge vigilance and will provide updates as more data becomes available.
As a precautionary measure, the Centre has expanded laboratory capacity for HMPV testing. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will closely monitor HMPV trends throughout the year alongside other respiratory illnesses, including influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). A robust surveillance network, comprising ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), continues to track respiratory infections nationwide.
Hospitals have been directed to enhance isolation protocols for suspected HMPV cases, ensure the availability of essential medicines, and promptly report ILI and SARI cases through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).
