Total five infants test positive of HMPV, experts say ‘causes common cold only’

Amid outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China and resultant concerns in the country, five infants tested positive – two from Karnataka, two from Tamil Nadu and one from Gujarat – of the viral infections on Monday, the first reported cases of the virus in India.

Union health minister J P Nadda said the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to worry. He said HMPV is not a new virus and no surge in any of the common respiratory virus pathogens has been observed in the country.

In a video message, Mr Nadda said in the wake of the recent reports of HMPV in China, the Health Ministry, the ICMR, the country’s apex health research body, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are keeping a close watch on the situation in China and other neighbouring countries. The WHO has “taken cognisance of the situation and will share the report shortly with us”, he said.

“The country data for respiratory viruses available with ICMR and integrated disease surveillance programme has also been reviewed and no surge in any of the common respiratory virus pathogens is observed in India,” said Mr Nadda.

Talking to Medlarge, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-chairman, National IMA COVID Taskforce said that HMPV is not a new virus like Covid was in 2020. “This virus has been around in multiple countries over the past several years, causing common cold in young children. Most children do not fall ill. A few children with underlying asthma, get exacerbation. Very rarely, children get pneumonia. Adults also sometimes pick up the infection from children. No specific antiviral or vaccines are required at this time,” said Dr Jayadevan.      

A three-month-old female infant with a history of bronchopneumonia was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She has already been discharged, the health ministry said.

An eight-month-old male infant with a history of bronchopneumonia tested positive for HMPV on January 3 after being admitted to Baptist Hospital. He is now recovering, it said. It is important to note that neither of the patients have any history of international travel, the ministry underlined.

A two-month-old boy admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad also tested positive for HMPV. The infant, who hails from Dungarpur in Rajasthan, was admitted to the hospital on December 24, 2024, with symptoms of respiratory infection. Initially, the child needed ventilator support but his condition is stable now, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation medical officer Bhavin Solanki said.

Two more cases of HMPV were reported in Tamil Nadu, making the total number to five in the country. The state health department said the cases were stable and are being monitored.