New Delhi: India has detected its first cases of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) which is currently sweeping through China. In an alarming development, the two cases were identified in small babies, a three month old female baby and an eight month old male infant, with both of them having no international travel history.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected the two cases of 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. Both babies have a history of bronchopneumonia, and were admitted at Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. These are the first cases of HMPV detected in the country.

While one of them, a three month old female baby, has recovered and has been discharged, another eight month old male infant, who tested positive for HMPV on January 3, after being admitted to the same hospital, is now recovering.

No history of international travel

According to officials from the Union Health Ministry, it is important to note that neither of the affected patients have any history of international travel. The Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels, said a statement.

“It is emphasised that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries. Furthermore, based on current data from 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,” the statement said.

No cause for panic, says Karnataka Health Minister

Harsh Gupta, Karnataka’s Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), said HMPV is usually detected in children under the age of 11 and about 1% of all samples tested for respiratory illnesses are HMPV. “This may not be the first case as monitoring was not being done earlier. However, there is no need to panic as HMPV is like any other respiratory virus, which causes a common cold and flu-like symptoms during winter, especially among the younger and older age groups,” he said.

Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the strain of virus detected in the babies is not yet known as there is no data available so far on the strain detected in China. “It is an existing virus and there is no need to panic. I am reviewing the situation and have called a meeting in the afternoon. We have to discuss if this is really a public health concern that can led to a pandemic-like situation,” he said.