India reported seven cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in children (two each in Bengaluru, Nagpur and Tamil Nadu, and one in Ahmedabad), amid a rise in respiratory diseases in China. However, Union Health Minister JP Nadda allayed concerns and said the rise in cases will not lead to a Covid-like outbreak.
“HMPV is not a new virus. It was first identified in 2001 and has been circulating around the world for many years,” Nadda said.
Experts said HMPV rarely requires hospitalization and timely intervention can prevent complications.
Nadda said the Health Ministry, along with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Center for Disease Control, was monitoring the situation in China and neighboring countries. “The WHO has taken cognizance of the situation and will share its report with us shortly,” he said.
ICMR It confirmed two cases at Bangalore Baptist Hospital. A three-month-old girl from Bengaluru, admitted with fever and cold in December, tested positive and has since recovered and been discharged.
The second case of HMPV, detected on January 3, corresponds to an eight-month-old child admitted for fever after an injury. He tested positive for both HMPV and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and is currently recovering. Both children have a history of bronchopneumonia and neither have traveled abroad, suggesting they contracted the infection locally.
A two-month-old baby from Dungarpur in Rajasthan was admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad on December 24 with respiratory illness and was diagnosed with HMPV on December 26. AMC’s Dr Bhavin Solanki said the hospital reported the case late and the patient was isolated. . Two children, aged seven and 13, tested positive at Nagpur’s Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences. They were initially treated for suspected H1N1 (swine flu) with Tamiflu, but PCR testing confirmed HMPV on January 3. The children recovered through outpatient treatment.
Although the hospital reported the cases, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation decided to retest the samples at AIIMS Nagpur. These cases were discussed in an ICMR video conference on Monday.
Tamil Nadu health secretary Supriya Sahu said the state has two active cases, in Chennai and Salem, and the condition of both is stable. “HMPV infections are self-limiting and resolve with symptomatic care, including adequate hydration and rest,” he said.
First identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, HMPV causes illnesses ranging from mild respiratory infections to serious conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. In India, its prevalence varies between 1% and 19% across regions.
Health Minister Nadda said HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets and can affect all age groups. “The virus spreads most during the winter and early spring months,” he said. “Our health systems and surveillance networks remain vigilant, ensuring that the country is prepared to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges. There is no reason to worry. We are closely monitoring the situation,” he assured.
ICMR chairperson for disease elimination Dr Rajni Kant said HMPV is a known cause of respiratory diseases in children and confirmed its presence in different parts of India. “ICMR Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur, tested respiratory pathogens on 100 patients below five years… at BRD Medical College in 2022. Of 100 pediatric patients enrolled, four (4%) tested positive for HMPV,” Kant said .
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the virus is likely to be a local strain unrelated to the outbreak in China. “Referring to any recent case as the ‘first’ is misleading. I don’t think we should hit the panic button.” A health official in Karnataka highlighted the potential severity of HMPV in vulnerable populations, particularly children under five, the elderly and immunocompromised people. “Approximately 10% of adult patients admitted with pneumonia test positive for HMPV, and 4 to 6% of viral diseases in children are caused by this virus,” the official said.
Current data from ICMR and Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) did not confirm any unusual increase in influenza-like illness or cases of severe acute respiratory illness in the country.
A five-month-old boy from Kolkata, who traveled from Mumbai, was the last known case of HMPV in Bengal requiring intensive care. He was admitted to a private hospital with symptoms such as high fever, diarrhea, vomiting and respiratory distress. After receiving respiratory support for a week, he was discharged and is doing well.
(Contributions from Sarfaraz Ahmed in Nagpur, Sumati Yengkhom in Kolkata)