India reports first HMPV cases; 5 children test positive in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat

Five infants tested positive for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat on Monday, the first reported cases of the virus in India.

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Union Health Minister JP Nadda sought to assuage fears, saying the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry.

HMPV is a globally recognised respiratory virus that recently gained attention after its outbreak was reported in China. It is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in people of all age groups.

While the Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra governments said there was no cause for alarm, the Delhi government directed all hospitals in the capital to remain fully prepared to manage a potential surge in respiratory illnesses with former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal urging the Centre to act swiftly to prevent a potential health crisis.

Two cases were detected in Karnataka by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.

A three-month-old girl with a history of bronchopneumonia was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She has already been discharged, the health ministry said.

An eight-month-old boy with a history of bronchopneumonia tested positive for HMPV on January 3 after being admitted to Baptist Hospital. He is now recovering, it said.

Neither of the two have any history of international travel, the ministry underlined.

In neighbouring Tamil Nadu, two more children tested positive for the virus.

These two are the first cases to be reported from the city and are currently undergoing treatment in two hospitals, officials said.

The fifth case was reported from Gujarat's Ahmedabad. A two-month-old boy admitted to a private hospital in the city tested positive for HMPV. The infant, who hails from Dungarpur in Rajasthan, was hospitalised on December 24, 2024, with symptoms of respiratory infection.

Initially, the child needed ventilator support but his condition is stable now, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation medical officer Bhavin Solanki said.

Union Health Minister Nadda said the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry.

He said HMPV is not a new virus and no surge in any of the common respiratory virus pathogens has been observed in the country.

In a video message, Nadda said that in the wake of the recent reports of HMPV in China, the health ministry, the ICMR, the country's apex health research body, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are keeping a close watch on the situation in China and other neighbouring countries.

The World Health Organisation has "taken cognisance of the situation and will share the report shortly with us", he said.

"The country data for respiratory viruses available with ICMR and integrated disease surveillance programme has also been reviewed and no surge in any of the common respiratory virus pathogens is observed in India," Nadda said.