New Delhi: An eight-month-old infant in Bengaluru has been identified as the first suspected case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). The laboratory report indicates that the infant’s sample was collected on January 2.
According to sources from the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) health department, neither the infant nor the family has a recent travel history and they have not exhibited any concerning symptoms.
Although the state health department has not independently verified the results, they have acknowledged the reliability of the findings from the private laboratory. A health department official stated, “We trust the accuracy of their testing procedures,” as reported by India Today.
HMPV primarily impacts children and is estimated to be present in approximately 0.7 percent of global influenza cases. However, health officials in Karnataka have indicated that they do not possess detailed information regarding the specific strain involved.
In light of concerns regarding the potential spread of HMPV in China, the Directorate General of Health Services has reassured the public that there is “nothing to be alarmed about,” as reported by Doordarshan.
What is HMPV?
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has recently gained attention due to social media reports and videos suggesting that hospitals in China are facing an influx of respiratory illnesses, including HMPV. These posts allege that outbreaks of various viruses, such as HMPV, influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, have led to overcrowding in hospitals and cemeteries.
First identified in 2001 by researchers in the Netherlands, HMPV is a notable cause of acute respiratory infections, according to the American Lung Association. The virus primarily transmits through close contact with infected individuals, either via respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or by touching contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or toys.
