HMPV Virus Spreads from China to India: Cases Reported in Karnataka and Gujarat, Alert Issued
The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection, which has been spreading in China, has now reached India. The Union Health Ministry has confirmed that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) identified HMPV infections in two children in Karnataka and one in Gujarat. The cases involve a three-month-old girl and an eight-month-old child in Karnataka, and a two-month-old child in Gujarat, prompting an alert.
Outbreak and Monitoring Reports indicate a significant outbreak of HMPV in China, with numerous fatalities. In response, the Indian Health Ministry has heightened surveillance, issuing advisories and alerts across various states. Despite these measures, two cases have already been reported in India.
Details of Infections In Bangalore, a three-month-old girl admitted to Baptist Hospital for bronchopneumonia was found infected with HMPV and has since been discharged. An eight-month-old child at the same hospital, tested on January 3, 2025, was also diagnosed but is stable. Neither child nor their families have a history of international travel.
In Gujarat, an infection was confirmed in a two-month-old from Dungarpur, Rajasthan, admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad on December 24 with respiratory symptoms. The child was diagnosed with HMPV on December 26, and though initially placed on a ventilator, the condition is now stable.
Government Response The Union Health Ministry assures that HMPV is not new in India, and no unusual increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) cases has been observed. Continuous monitoring by ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) is underway.
In Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao have convened emergency meetings to strategize containment and precautionary measures. The Andhra Pradesh government has also issued an alert, emphasizing that HMPV spreads similarly to COVID-19, primarily affecting children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Understanding Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) HMPV, a virus from the Paramyxoviridae family, was first identified in 2001 in the Netherlands. It spreads through close contact with infected individuals, particularly through coughing and sneezing. Studies suggest the virus has been present globally for over six decades.
Impact of HMPV HMPV predominantly affects children but can also impact the elderly and those with weak immune systems. Symptoms include cold, cough, fever, and in severe cases, bronchiolitis or pneumonia, potentially requiring hospitalization.
The Health Ministry continues to monitor the situation closely, with all health units on high alert to prevent further spread of the virus.
