With three reported cases of Human Metapneumovirus, or HMPV, India recorded its first cases of the contagious respiratory virus on Friday: a 3-month-old baby who has been discharged, an 8-month-old currently recovering in a Bengaluru hospital, and a 2-month-old in Ahmedabad.
Importantly, none of the affected infants or their families have any recent travel history to indicate that the virus exposure could have occurred from outside the regions or countries.
It was detected in the routine surveillance being carried out to monitor not only COVID variants but other respiratory viral pathogens as part of the ongoing effort by ICMR to track respiratory illnesses across the country. Already, the HMPV virus is circulating around the globe in various countries like India.
The condition of the child in Ahmedabad, which was on a ventilator, is stable. Bhavin Solanki, chief medical officer of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, said HMPV detection was made on December 26 though the report came in later. Health Ministry on its part called a meeting today over the emerging situation to discuss HMPV preparedness.
HMPV typically causes mild respiratory symptoms similar to a cold but can lead to serious complications, particularly in infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. In some cases, it can result in pneumonia or exacerbate chronic respiratory conditions. The virus tends to circulate more frequently during the winter and early spring months.
On Sunday, the Centre said it is keeping a close watch on HMPV along with other respiratory viruses, particularly in the backdrop of reported cases of rising respiratory illnesses in China. A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) met on January 4 to review the situation, which was attended by representatives from the WHO, National Centre for Disease Control, ICMR, and other health organisations.
Current data from India, as per information received so far from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, does not suggest any unusual spike in respiratory infections. On the precautionary front, the Centre has increased laboratory testing capacity for detecting HMPV. As ICMR would be closely following the HMPV trends, as it periodically does during a year, along with other respiratory viruses like ILI and SARI, the situation was being continuously watched.
The hospitals have been advised to enhance isolation facilities for suspected cases, maintain adequate supplies of medicines, and report cases related to ILI and SARI without delay through the IHIP.
