An eight-month-old in Bengaluru is suspected to have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), based on a laboratory report dated January 2. The infant’s family had no recent travel history and the child displayed no concerning symptoms, according to sources from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) health department.
Although the Karnataka state health department has not independently verified the results, they have acknowledged the credibility of the private laboratory’s testing procedures. “We trust the accuracy of their findings,” stated a health department official.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, particularly in children. Globally, it accounts for about 0.7% of flu cases. HMPV primarily spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing and contact with contaminated surfaces.
Common symptoms include cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, wheezing, and, in severe cases, shortness of breath or rash.In regions like the U.S., it often peaks in winter and spring, overlapping with other respiratory illnesses like RSV and the flu.
Reports from China have raised concerns about a surge in respiratory illnesses, including HMPV. However, the Directorate General of Health Services in India stated that there is “nothing to be alarmed about” regarding HMPV cases in India.
While Karnataka health officials have not detailed the specific HMPV strain involved, they are monitoring the situation. Awareness of the virus and its symptoms can help mitigate risks, especially among vulnerable groups like young children and the elderly.
Health experts emphasize hygiene measures, including frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with infected individuals, to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses like HMPV.
