HMPV cases rise to 7 in India; Two children test positive in Nagpur

India's total number of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases has risen to seven after two children from Nagpur, Maharashtra, tested positive for the virus. The children, aged seven and 14, initially sought treatment for fever and cough at a private hospital in Nagpur's Ramdaspeth area on January 3. The hospital confirmed the infections after conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The children were treated on an outpatient basis and have since recovered. Shashikant Shambharkar, Deputy Director of Health in Nagpur, confirmed the development, stating that the records of the children would be sent to AIIMS Nagpur for further analysis.

The new cases from Nagpur bring the national tally to seven, with earlier cases reported in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. In Gujarat, a two-month-old boy in Ahmedabad was diagnosed with the virus, while Karnataka reported two cases, including one in Bengaluru. Tamil Nadu also recorded two infections. In light of these developments, the Maharashtra health department has heightened alertness and issued warnings for people exhibiting flu-like symptoms, such as fever and cough, urging them to seek medical attention promptly.

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar convened a meeting at St. George’s Hospital Health Centre in Mumbai to assess the situation, with Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav expected to attend. The state has initiated steps to strengthen surveillance and public awareness campaigns. Local health officials have advised residents to be cautious, particularly during the ongoing winter season when respiratory infections tend to rise. The state also urged people with Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) symptoms to remain vigilant and follow preventive guidelines.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda sought to allay public concern, stating that HMPV is not a new virus, as it was first identified in 2001. Nadda assured that the virus primarily affects the upper and lower respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose. It spreads primarily through the air, with higher prevalence during winter and early spring. He emphasized that the government’s surveillance network is closely monitoring the spread of the virus, while necessary measures are in place to ensure public health safety.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are jointly monitoring trends in respiratory viruses across the country. In response to rising cases, the Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra reviewed the situation and confirmed there is no surge in the overall incidence of respiratory illnesses in India. States have been instructed to strengthen their Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and SARI surveillance. Former ICMR scientist Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar commented that HMPV is not typically deadly, with most infections being mild, especially in healthy adults. He further noted that the virus has a global prevalence rate of about 4% and does not typically result in high mortality.