Two cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) were reported in Bengaluru today – a 3-month-old baby who has been discharged from hospital and an 8-month-old child admitted to a clinic in the Karnataka capital. These are the first reported cases of HMPV in India. The infected newborn babies and their families have no previous travel history, having come from other districts or countries. “Both the cases were identified through periodic screening for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, which is part of ICMR’s continuous efforts to monitor respiratory diseases across the country. HMPV is now in circulation throughout the world, including India, and cases of HMPV-related respiratory illnesses have been reported in several countries,” the Centre said in a statement. The health service has convened a meeting on HMPV preparedness today. HMPV is a respiratory infection that often causes mild symptoms after a cold but can lead to other complications, especially in newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. The infection can sometimes trigger pneumonia or exacerbate chronic respiratory conditions. Cases often increase during winter and early spring.
On Sunday, the Centre said it is tracking HMPV and other respiratory infections, especially after subsequent reports of increased respiratory illnesses in China. A joint monitoring group (JMG) gathered on January 4 to assess the situation with representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Chamber of Medical Research (ICMR) and other health organisations.
The respiratory illnesses in China are similar to the common varieties caused by infections such as flu, RSV and HMPV. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, current surveillance data from India shows no unusual increase in respiratory infections.
As a safety measure, the Centre has expanded the research facility capacity for HMPV testing. ICMR will monitor HMPV patterns throughout the year, as well as other respiratory illnesses such as influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI). A strong set of surveillance systems, run by ICMR and the Coordinate Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), monitors respiratory infections across the country. Hospitals have been asked to strengthen isolation standards for suspected cases, ensure availability of essential drugs and promptly report ILI and SARI cases through the Coordinate Health Data Stage (IHIP).
