Wed Jan 08 03:20:23 UTC 2025: ## Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Cases Detected in India: No Cause for Alarm, Officials Say

**New Delhi, India** – Several cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus, have been detected across India, prompting a heightened state of surveillance but not widespread alarm. Health officials across various states have assured the public that while precautions should be taken, the virus, which has been circulating globally since 2001, is not a major cause for concern.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed several cases in Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, with suspected cases also reported in Maharashtra. Symptoms are similar to the flu, including cough, fever, and cold, and the virus poses a greater risk to young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that while HMPV is not dangerous, precautions such as following health department guidelines are advisable. Similar reassurances were given by health officials in other affected states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh, all emphasizing that the situation is being closely monitored but that there is no need for panic.

The central government has directed states to monitor respiratory illnesses and increase public awareness campaigns emphasizing hygiene and respiratory etiquette. While several states have set up isolation wards as a precaution and increased testing capacity, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and other officials have stressed that India’s health systems are prepared to handle any potential increase in cases. The government is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The increased attention to HMPV follows reports of a surge in cases in China, which has spurred some concern internationally. However, Indian health officials have repeatedly stressed that the virus is not new and that the current situation in India does not warrant widespread alarm. They advise individuals with symptoms to take standard precautions, such as wearing masks in crowded places, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.

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