Sat Jan 11 07:23:34 UTC 2025: ## Assam Records First Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Case of the Season

**Dibrugarh, Assam –** A 10-month-old infant in Assam has become the first case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection this season, health officials announced Saturday. The child, currently admitted to Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, is reportedly stable and receiving treatment for cold-like symptoms.

The HMPV infection was confirmed after tests conducted by the ICMR-RMRC in Lahowal. AMCH Superintendent Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan stated that the child was admitted four days prior with common cold symptoms and that the HMPV diagnosis was a result of routine testing for influenza and related illnesses. Dr. Bhuyan emphasized that HMPV is a common virus and there is no cause for widespread alarm. The ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, NE, Lahowal confirmed this was the first case of the season in the Dibrugarh district, noting 110 cases have been detected there since 2014.

While HMPV primarily affects the respiratory system, experts note that in severe cases, it can indirectly impact other organs, including the kidneys. Symptoms of potential kidney involvement include reduced urine output, swelling, fatigue, and confusion. Doctors recommend blood tests to monitor kidney function in severe cases. However, direct kidney involvement by HMPV is rare, and most cases result in mild, cold-like symptoms resolving within a few days.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also addressed rising acute respiratory infections across the Northern Hemisphere, including HMPV, stating that these increases are consistent with typical seasonal patterns. The WHO emphasizes that while co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens can strain healthcare systems, the current situation is not unusual. Several other Indian states have also reported HMPV cases, but health officials across the country are stressing that the virus is not new and that most cases are mild. They are urging the public to practice good hygiene and seek medical attention for severe symptoms.

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