Mon Jan 06 07:11:19 UTC 2025: ## India Reports First HMPV Case Amidst China Outbreak

**Bengaluru, India (January 7, 2025)** – India has reported its first case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in an eight-month-old infant in Bengaluru, Karnataka, amidst a surge in cases in China. The infant, admitted to Baptist Hospital with bronchopneumonia, tested positive for HMPV on January 3rd and is now recovering. Crucially, the child has no recent travel history, indicating potential community transmission.

The Karnataka Health Department immediately notified the Union Health Ministry, which confirmed the case on Monday. The Ministry stated that it is closely monitoring the situation through various surveillance channels, working in conjunction with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for timely updates on the global situation. A joint monitoring group meeting was held last week to discuss the rising respiratory illness cases reported in China.

While the Ministry assures that India is well-prepared to manage respiratory illnesses and has not observed an unusual surge in cases, the detection of HMPV underscores the need for vigilance. HMPV, a common virus causing cold-like symptoms, poses a greater risk to young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Although most cases are mild, a significant percentage can lead to lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia.

This is not the first instance of HMPV in India; previous studies have documented its presence. Experts, such as Dr. G C Khilnani, Chairman of PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, highlight the virus’s potential lethality, particularly for immunocompromised individuals and the elderly.

The Ministry emphasized that despite the two HMPV cases detected in Karnataka through routine ICMR surveillance, there is no significant increase in overall respiratory illness cases in India. The government remains committed to proactive monitoring and preparedness.

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