India detects first two HMPV cases in Bengaluru

India today reported the first two confirmed cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is reported to have originated in China, in the southern state of Karnataka.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body of biomedical research, has detected the two cases of HMPV in a three-month-old female infant with a history of bronchopneumonia after being admitted to the Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru, and an eight-month-old male infant with a history of bronchopneumonia who was tested on January 3 after being admitted to the same hospital, the Indian Health Ministry said.
While the baby girl has been discharged, the other patient is recovering, it added.
Neither of the two patients has any history of international travel, the Ministry said.
It pointed out that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with it have been reported in various countries.
Furthermore, based on the current data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in influenza-like illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country, it added.
The Ministry said it is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. The ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is already providing timely updates regarding the situation in China to further inform the ongoing measures.
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 Ministry said.
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