India detects first case of HMPV virus infection

The first case of HMPV infection in India was an eight-month-old baby at Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru, southern Karnataka state.

India detected the first case of HMPV infection in an 8-month-old baby - Photo: ONE INDIA

India has detected its first case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). The patient is an 8-month-old baby at Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru city, southern Karnataka state.

Sources said the baby tested positive for HMPV. The case has been confirmed by the Karnataka Health Department and all information has been forwarded to the Indian Health Ministry .

According to the Times of India on January 6, the Karnataka Health Department noted that they did not test the sample in their laboratory. The case report came from a private hospital.

"The reports came from a private hospital and we have no reason to doubt the tests done by the private hospital," a health department source told the media.

Earlier on January 4, the Karnataka Health Department announced that no HMPV cases had been reported in the state. Therefore, this 8-month-old baby is the first case in India amid the rising number of HMPV infections in China.

The young patient had no travel history. It is not yet clear whether this is the HMPV strain causing the outbreak in China.

According to VNA, earlier on January 4, the Indian Ministry of Health said the country was fully prepared to manage respiratory diseases.

Surveillance mechanisms show no sudden increase in respiratory-related cases.

First discovered in 2001, HMPV causes flu-like symptoms that can lead to serious respiratory problems, especially in children and vulnerable groups.

Infected people often have flu-like symptoms including cough, fever, stuffy nose and difficulty breathing. Severe cases can develop complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

HMPV virus spreads through the air through droplets as well as close contact, when an infected person coughs or sneezes. There is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/an-do-phat-hien-truong-hop-dau-tien-nhiem-virus-hmpv-20250106132531204.htm