ICMR detects two cases of HMPV in Karnataka

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New Delhi, January 6

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka through routine surveillance. The cases, involving infants, were confirmed as part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across India, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

Sharing details, the Health Ministery said that the first case involves a three-month-old female infant treated for bronchopneumonia at Bengaluru’s Baptist Hospital. She has since been discharged. The second case, an eight-month-old male infant admitted to the same hospital on January 3, is recovering. Neither infant has a history of international travel.

The HMPV, a respiratory virus already in circulation globally, including in India, has not shown signs of triggering an unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases, according to current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).

The Union Health Ministry is actively monitoring the situation, while ICMR continues to track HMPV trends nationwide. Preparedness drills across the country suggest that India is equipped to address any potential rise in respiratory illnesses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is also providing updates on global developments, including the situation in China, to ensure timely and informed responses.

The recent preparedness drill conducted across the country has shown that India is well-equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses and public health interventions can be deployed promptly if needed the Health Ministry said.