Mon Jan 06 09:15:53 UTC 2025: ## First Cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Detected in India

**Bengaluru, India** – India has reported its first confirmed cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus, in Bengaluru. Two infants, a 3-month-old who has been discharged and an 8-month-old currently recovering, tested positive. Importantly, neither infant nor their families had recent travel history, indicating local transmission.

The cases were identified through routine surveillance by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as part of a nationwide monitoring program for respiratory illnesses. While HMPV circulates globally, and the government acknowledges its presence in India, these mark the first officially reported cases.

The Ministry of Health convened an emergency meeting today to discuss preparedness and response strategies. HMPV typically causes cold-like symptoms but can lead to pneumonia, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Cases usually increase during winter and early spring.

This announcement follows increased global monitoring of respiratory viruses, particularly after recent reports of heightened respiratory illnesses in China. India’s health ministry, however, emphasizes that current surveillance data does not show an unusual surge in respiratory infections within the country. The situation is being closely monitored by a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) involving the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and other health organizations.

As a precautionary measure, the government has increased HMPV testing capacity and is reinforcing hospital protocols for suspected cases. Hospitals have been instructed to strengthen isolation procedures, ensure sufficient medication supplies, and promptly report any cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). The ICMR will continue to track HMPV trends alongside other respiratory illnesses throughout the year.

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