New Delhi, Jan 6: Two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected in Karnataka as part of routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens, the Union Health Ministry announced on Monday. The cases were identified by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
A three-month-old female infant, diagnosed with HMPV at Bengaluru’s Baptist Hospital, had a history of bronchopneumonia and has since been discharged, the ministry reported. An eight-month-old male infant, also with bronchopneumonia, tested positive for HMPV on January 3 at the same hospital and is currently recovering.
The ministry emphasized that neither of the infants had a history of international travel, highlighting that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India. Cases of respiratory illnesses linked to HMPV have been reported in various countries, it noted.
According to the ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual spike in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in India. The ministry assured that the situation is being closely monitored through all available surveillance mechanisms, with the ICMR continuing to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is also providing updates on respiratory illness trends, particularly in light of rising cases in China. To address this, a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), chaired by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), was convened on Saturday to review the situation.
The ministry highlighted that recent preparedness drills across India have confirmed the country’s readiness to manage potential increases in respiratory illnesses. It assured that public health interventions could be swiftly deployed if required.
Key Takeaway:
India’s health authorities remain vigilant and well-prepared to manage HMPV cases, with robust surveillance systems in place to monitor trends and ensure prompt responses to any emerging public health concerns.
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