NEW DELHI: Amid the alarming rise in respiratory illnesses caused by human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, five children on Monday tested positive for the virus in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
In Bengaluru, a three-month-old girl and an eight-month-old boy, who had a history of bronchopneumonia, were diagnosed with the viral infection after being admitted to Baptist Hospital. The Union Health Ministry said while the girl was discharged after treatment, the boy was recovering. Neither of the patients had any history of travel.
In Tamil Nadu, the Health Department said two children had been tested positive for HMPV in Chennai. However, their condition is stable.
In Gujarat, the virus was detected in a two-month-old boy, who was admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad on December 24 with symptoms of respiratory infection. Health officials said the child’s condition was stable. According to the Union Health Ministry, HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India. The cases were identified through routine surveillance by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for multiple respiratory \viral pathogens. “The Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is already providing timely updates regarding the situation in China,” it said.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda said: “HMPV is not a new virus. It was first detected in 2001 and it has been circulating in the entire world for past many years. The virus spreads more during winters and early spring. The Health Ministry, ICMR and the National Centre for Disease Control are keeping a close watch on the situation in China. There is no reason to worry.”
Dr Vishal Rao, former head, Genomic Surveillance Committee, said: “There is no vaccine available for this virus. December and January are the months when we see an uptick in flu cases. Unlike Covid, this infection is not something that will spread by speaking or breathing. HMPV virus is a droplet infection. Wear a mask and maintain hand hygiene.”
Dr Neeraj Nischal, Additional Professor, Internal Medicine, AIIMS-Delhi, echoed similar views. “ HMPV was detected in 2001 and has stayed around. By the age of 10, the majority of the children develop immunity against it,” he said.
The Health Ministry has said India is well-equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses and public health interventions can be deployed promptly if need be.