The health ministry confirmed on Monday that two babies in Karnataka have been diagnosed with Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). This was found during routine checks for various respiratory viruses, as part of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s efforts to track respiratory illnesses across the country.
HMPV is a virus that has been spreading globally, including in India. The health ministry noted that there hasn’t been an unusual rise in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases at this time.
One of the patients is a 3-month-old girl who was treated for bronchopneumonia at Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru and has since gone home. The other is an 8-month-old boy who tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, after being admitted for bronchopneumonia. He is now on the mend.
It’s important to mention that neither child had traveled outside the country recently. The health ministry is keeping a close watch on the situation through all available monitoring systems and will continue to track HMPV trends throughout the year. The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing updates about the situation in China to help with ongoing safety measures.
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