Amid surge in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus in China, an eight-month-old baby has tested positive in Bengaluru, as per Health Ministry sources.
The child does not have not have any travel history. After confirmation, Karnataka Health Department reported the case to the Health Ministry.
“Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year. The World Health Organization (WHO) is already providing timely updates regarding the situation in China to further inform ongoing measures,” the Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
According to the Ministry, the male infant, tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, with a history of bronchopneumonia. The infant is now recovering.
Last week, the Ministry stated that India is fully prepared to manage respiratory illnesses with surveillance mechanisms indicating no unusual surge in cases.
On Saturday conducted a joint monitoring group meeting to discuss the reports of rising cases of respiratory illnesses in China in the past few weeks.
As the cases continue to rise in several countries including China, the government is closely monitoring the situation through all available channels and it has requested the World Health Organisation (WHO) to share timely updates regarding the situation.
According to Cleveland Clinic, HMPV is a virus that usually causes symptoms similar to a cold. Most cases are mild, but young children, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for serious illness. HMPV is common — most people get it before they turn 5, it stated.
According to researchers, about 10 percent to 12 percent of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV. Most cases are mild, but about 5% to 16% of children will develop a lower respiratory tract infection like pneumonia.
This is not the first time that India has reported the occurrence of HMPV virus. A 2015 study published in the Virology journal found that 67 percent of children who were infected with hMPV were within 2–24 months of age.
HPMV is an RNA virus which was recognised in the year 2001 and ever since it is known as a seasonal viral illness occurring in young children and elderly in winters.
According to Dr. G C Khilnani Chairman, PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical care and Sleep Medicine, Formerly, Professor and Head, Dept of Pulmonary, Critical care and Sleep Med Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, the virus is potentially lethal especially in immunocompromised and elderly.