Mon Jan 06 09:36:51 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Health Minister Downplays Bengaluru HMPV Cases, Assures No Need for Panic
**Bengaluru, India –** The Karnataka government has moved to quell concerns following the detection of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in two infants in Bengaluru. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao clarified that these cases are not the first instances of HMPV in India, emphasizing that the virus is already present in the country.
“The virus already exists here,” Rao stated, adding that the recent detections simply represent individuals who were tested for the specific virus. He stressed that there is no evidence to support claims that these are India’s first HMPV cases. The infected infants, aged three and eight months, have no recent travel history, according to the Minister.
Rao also drew a distinction between the situation in Karnataka and the recent HMPV outbreak in China, which appears to be linked to a new variant. While acknowledging the need for further investigation into this new strain, he stressed that the currently detected HMPV in Bengaluru presents common cold and flu-like symptoms that usually resolve without complications.
Following an emergency meeting with health officials and a virtual meeting with heads of District medical colleges, the Minister urged citizens not to panic. He explained that widespread testing for every cold symptom is unnecessary and that the government will carefully assess whether the situation constitutes a serious public health threat before implementing further measures. The government is currently gathering information on the new variant in China and its potential presence in India. While caution is advised, Rao emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary alarm.
First Piper 