Global HMPV Tracker: Three new cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) were confirmed in India on Monday, the first reported cases of the virus in the country, the Ministry of Health said.
Two people in Bengaluru were infected: a 3-month-old infant who was discharged from the hospital and an 8-month-old infant who is recovering in hospital. In Ahmedabad, a two-month-old baby was also found infected.
The affected infant and his family have no recent travel history, and transmission from other regions or countries is unlikely. HMPV is a globally recognized respiratory virus that has recently gained attention after an outbreak was reported in China.
The Federal Ministry of Health said it was monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. The Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR) said it will continue to track trends in the prevalence of HMPV throughout the year.
HMPV was first identified in 2001 and is a respiratory infection that causes flu-like symptoms. People of all ages can be affected, but children under 5, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
