Ahmedabad/Bengaluru/Chennai: A total of five cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus commonly associated with cold and flu-like symptoms, were reported across India even as Union Health Minister JP Nadda asserted that there was no need to worry.
A two-month-old boy admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad has been diagnosed with Human Metapneumovirus. The infant, from Dungarpur in Rajasthan, was admitted on December 24 with signs of respiratory infection. This case follows the detection of two HMPV cases in Karnataka as part of routine surveillance conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Both cases were unrelated to international travel, indicating the virus's presence in local populations.
After tests, the third HMPV infection was confirmed on December 26, according to Dr. Bhavin Solanki, in-charge medical officer of health at the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
"The infection was detected on December 26, but we learned about it today as the private hospital reported it to us late," Solanki said. The child was initially placed on a ventilator but has since been stabilised and remains in isolation, Solanki added.
In Tamil Nadu, the samples taken from two persons admitted to hospitals with fever, cold and cough were found to be positive for HMPV. One case in Chennai and other in Salem have been diagnosed with HMPV, said Supriya Sahu, the Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu Health Department.
According to the statement issued by the department official, the condition of the two infected with the virus is stable and they are under the constant observation of doctors.
Union Health Ministry officials have emphasised that HMPV is not a new virus and has been in circulation globally, including in India. Cases of respiratory illnesses linked to HMPV have been reported in various countries, and the current data shows no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) in the country.
Giving details of the previous cases, the health ministry said that a 3-month-old female infant was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru with a history of bronchopneumonia. "She has since been discharged," the ministry said. "An 8-month-old male infant, tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, with a history of bronchopneumonia. The infant is now recovering," the ministry added.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao on Monday said that one of the two children, who was infected by the HMP virus has been fully recovered and discharged.
"Another child is on the path of recovery and he will be discharged in a day or two," the Minister said after chairing a meeting with the health department officials in the wake of the reporting of two cases at a private hospital in Bengaluru.
Seeking to allay fear among the general public, Dinesh said that the HMP virus, like other viruses, has existed in India for a long time and is not life-threatening.
"The virus causes common symptoms like cold, cough and flu which can be treated at any hospital or clinic. So, there is no need for people to panic and they can go on with their day-to-day activities," he said. "Elderly persons and kids are more prone to be infected with the virus. They should avoid going to crowded places and maintain distance from people suffering from cough and cold," he added.
When asked if the government was taking any precautionary measures or issuing any guidelines, Dinesh said the current situation doesn't warrant any kind of precautionary measures like wearing masks, conducting random tests or reserving wards and beds at hospitals for people infected with HMP virus.
"But we have been monitoring the situation closely and are ready to face any emergency situation. Our health infrastructure is well equipped to handle any kind of emergency," he added. However, the state government will issue Dos & Don'ts soon, he added.
The ministry said that the HMPV virus 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,” the ministry said. The ministry said that neither of the affected patients has any history of international travel.
“Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. ICMR 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 ministry said.
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. Last week, the health ministry conducted a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) meeting held under the Chairmanship of DGHS. Dr Atul Goel, in view of reports about rising cases of respiratory illnesses in China in the past few weeks. Following detailed discussions and based on the currently available information, the meeting agreed that the situation in China is not unusual in view of the ongoing flu season.
The ministry observed that the government is keeping a close watch over the situation through all available channels and WHO has also been requested to share timely updates regarding the situation in China.
Nadda, on his part, said the Centre is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry. He said HMPV is not a new virus and no surge in any of the common respiratory virus pathogens has been observed in the country.
In a video message, Nadda said in the wake of the recent reports of HMPV in China, the Health Ministry, the ICMR, the country's apex health research body, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are keeping a close watch on the situation in China and other neighbouring countries.
The WHO has "taken cognisance of the situation and will share the report shortly with us", he said. "The country data for respiratory viruses available with ICMR and integrated disease surveillance programme has also been reviewed and no surge in any of the common respiratory virus pathogens is observed in India," Nadda added.
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