LIVE | HMPV: Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad report cases as Bengaluru babies recover
Infant in Ahmedabad hospital tests positive for HMPV, stable
A two-month-old boy admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad has been detected with Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection, an official said on Monday.
The infant, who hails from Dungarpur in Rajasthan, was admitted to the hospital, located in Chandkheda locality here, on December 24 with symptoms of respiratory infection.
After tests, he was found positive for the HMPV, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's in-charge medical officer of health Bhavin Solanki said.
"HMPV (infection) was detected in the patient on December 26, but we learnt about it today as the private hospital reported it to us late," Solanki said.
The patient was kept in isolation, the official said.
Earlier, the child was kept on a ventilator, and his condition is stable now, Solanki said.
Before this, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected two cases of HMPV in Karnataka through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.
The Union health ministry emphasised that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with it have been reported in various countries.
Furthermore, based on the current data from the ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country, it said.
The ministry said it is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is already providing timely updates regarding the situation in China to further inform the ongoing measures.
Amid reports of rising cases of respiratory illnesses in China in the past few weeks, a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) was held under the chairmanship of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Saturday.
I don't think we should be pressing the panic button: Karnataka Health Minister
The Karnataka government has assured that there is no cause for alarm over HMPV, as it is already present in the country, after two cases were detected in Bengaluru.
According to Union Health Ministry, neither of the patients have any history of international travel.
"I don't think we should be pressing the panic button, because HMPV is not a new virus, it already exists. Reports suggest that it is the first case of HMPV in India, it is not true because HMPV is an existing virus, and a certain percentage of people do get affected by this virus and it is not something new," state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, he said, “The eight-month-old child has no travel history, and they (family) are locals. They have not arrived from China or some other country. So, I don't think that there is any connection to that.”
The Minister explained that the outbreak of HMPV in China is said to involve a new variant. “We don't have the full details, and the government of India is yet to provide full details to us, and maybe they are also trying to get more information.”
“... HMPV itself isn’t new, it’s been around for a long time. It typically causes common symptoms like cold, flu, or cough. It's a self-limiting virus, it goes away after some time. I don’t think we should be calling this the first case.”
Earlier in the day, the health department said that the eight-month-old baby's case was detected at a private hospital in the state capital. They, however, clarified that the samples were not tested at the government lab and were awaiting confirmation.
The central government is closely monitoring the situation in China, Rao said. “We are also discussing this internally. I’ve instructed our officers to coordinate with ICMR and the Government of India. I'm having a meeting today to review any new information and determine the next steps.”
Responding to a question on any testing that needs to be done, the Minister said it will be looked into. “Whether it is causing any serious public health concern — that has to be first of all decided. Is it really a public health concern, just because one case has been detected? Has to be looked into. If you test anybody with a cold, they’ll have some virus in them,” he said.
Noting that one needs to take general precautions and should be careful, he said, “... If people are careful, it’s better for us — wash your hands, maintain some distance, especially if you have symptoms. Those things are already in the advisories that have been issued.”
Infant discharged
The three-month-old baby, who was infected with the HMPV virus, has recovered and been discharged from the hospital. The other baby has also shown signs of recovery and is expected to be discharged from the hospital today.
Symptoms and treatment
Symptoms include low-grade to moderate fever, persistent cough and may become severe, nasal stuffiness or runny nose, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and flaring nostrils.
There is no specific anti-viral treatment for HMPV, so prevention is the best way of controlling its spread, said doctors. Following simple measures such as washing hands regularly, covering mouth while coughing and avoiding close contact with sick individuals can help reduce its spread. In severe cases, the illness is managed through hydration, fever control, and oxygen therapy.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka. Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR's ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
What is HMPV?
HMPV is a common respiratory virus that primarily affects the lungs and airways. HMPV, a relatively under-recognised pathogen, has been a silent contributor to seasonal respiratory illnesses globally.
Discovered in 2001, HMPV is a member of the paramyxovirus family and is closely related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It can infect people of all ages but poses a higher risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
Severe cases can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia, particularly in high-risk groups.
Karnataka issues list of Dos and Don’ts
Dos
Cover your mouth and nose with handkerchief or tissue paper when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer.
Avoid crowded places
Stay away from public places if you have fever, cough and sneezing.
Adequate ventilation with outdoor air is recommended in all settings to reduce the transmission.
Stay at home and limit contact with others if you are sick.
Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food.
Don’ts
Reuse of tissue paper and hand kerchief
Close contact with sick people, sharing of towels, linen etc.
Frequent touching of eyes, nose and mouth.
Spitting in public places
Self-medication without consulting the physician
Delhi makes isolation compulsory
The government has issued an advisory asking authorities to prepare for potential challenges linked to HMPV.
Hospitals and medical facilities have been asked to maintain detailed records of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection cases and lab-confirmed influenza cases.
Hospitals have also been asked to keep stocks of medicines like paracetamol, antihistamines, bronchodilators and cough syrups ready.