(Image source from: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Two cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) were reported in Bangalore today. One is a three-month-old baby who was discharged from the hospital and the other is an eight-month-old child who is recovering at a hospital in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. This is the first case of HMPV reported in India. • The infected baby and his family have not traveled recently and transmission from other regions or countries is unlikely. "Both cases were identified through regular surveillance of multiple respiratory viral pathogens as part of ICMR's ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory diseases across the country," it said in a statement. Today, the Health Ministry held a meeting on HMPV preparation.

HMPV is a respiratory virus that often causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can also cause other complications, especially in infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. In some cases, the virus can cause pneumonia or worsen chronic respiratory diseases. Infections usually increase in winter and early spring. The center said Sunday that it is monitoring HMPV and other respiratory viruses, particularly after recent reports of a surge in respiratory illnesses in China. On January 4, a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) was formed to assess the situation. It brought together the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other health representatives. .

Respiratory diseases in China coincide with seasonal fluctuations caused by viruses such as influenza, RSV and HMPV. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare says India's current surveillance data shows no unusual rise in respiratory infections. As a precautionary measure, the center has increased its testing capacity for HMPV testing. The ICMR monitors HMPV trends throughout the year as well as other respiratory diseases such as influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). A robust network of surveillance systems, including those of ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), continue to track respiratory infections across the country. Hospitals are advised to strengthen isolation protocols for suspected patients, ensure availability of essential medicines, and promptly report ILI and SARI cases through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).