India has reported its first two confirmed cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is believed to have originated in China, in the southern state of Karnataka. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) identified the two cases: a three-month-old female infant, who had a history of bronchopneumonia and was admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru, and an eight-month-old male infant, also with a history of bronchopneumonia, who was tested on January 3 after being admitted to the same hospital, according to the Indian Health Ministry. While the baby girl has been discharged, the boy is recovering.
Neither patient has a history of international travel. The Ministry clarified that HMPV is already circulating globally, including in India, with respiratory illness cases linked to the virus reported in multiple countries.
Based on data from the ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), there has been no unusual increase in cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) in India. The Ministry is closely monitoring the situation through various surveillance channels, and the ICMR will continue to track HMPV trends throughout the year. The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing regular updates on the situation in China to inform ongoing measures.
A recent preparedness drill across India has confirmed that the country is well-equipped to handle any potential rise in respiratory illnesses, and public health interventions can be implemented quickly if necessary.
