HMPV Virus Infections: 5 cases detected in India; Bengaluru, Chennai among impacted cities, authorities issue advisories

A total of five human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases are detected in India. An eight-month-old male infant and a three-month-old female baby were diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. An HMPV case was also reported in Ahmedabad where a two-month-old baby was found HMPV positive. In Chennai also, two children have been reported positive for HMPV.

The Karnataka Health Department has not given any confirmation, but sources informed Zee Business that they will send samples to Pune to find out which variant of the virus. 

he HMPV virus detected in India is different. However, there is no clarity on whether the virus reported in China and the strain found here are related, we need to wait for confirmation before commenting a health source said.

Details of both HMPV cases

According to a government statement, the details of the cases are as follows:

1. A 3-month-old female infant, was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru with a history of bronchopneumonia. She has been since discharged.

2. An 8-month-old male infant, who tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, with a history of bronchopneumonia. The infant is now recovering.

"It is important to note that neither of the affected patients have any history of international travel," the statement said.

3. The first case of HMPV reported in Gujarat. A two-month-old baby infected with HMPV Symptoms of cold and fever. The HMPV report came positive in a private lab. The child belongs to a village near Modasa.

4. In Chennai, two children who came with cold, fever and cough have been confirmed to be infected with the HMPV virus.

Karnataka held emergency meeting

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao held an emergency meeting with health department officials today at 12.30 PM to discuss precautionary measures.

This comes after reports emerged of an HMPV outbreak in China. The Chinese government has, however, dismissed it as an annual winter occurrence.

The Karnataka government on Monday assured that there was no cause for alarm over the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) as it is already present in the country, after two cases were detected in Bengaluru.

According to Union Health Ministry, neither of the patients have any history of international travel.

"I don't think we should be pressing the panic button, because HMPV is not a new virus, it already exists. Reports suggest that it is the first case of HMPV in India, it is not true because HMPV is an existing virus, and a certain percentage of people do get affected by this virus and it is not something new," state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said. 

What is HMPV?

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that typically produces symptoms comparable to the common cold. It frequently causes upper respiratory infections, but it can also cause lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia, asthma flare-ups, or exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). HMPV infections are more prevalent during the winter and early spring.

HMPV cases are allegedly increasing in Malaysia. In 2024, 327 HMPV cases were recorded in the nation, up 45 per cent from 225 cases in 2023. This increase coincides with reports of increased respiratory infections in other nations, notably China.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is already providing timely updates regarding the situation in China to further inform ongoing measures.

With inputs from agencies