HMPV in Bengaluru: Is it too early to hit the panic button in India?
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the state, detected through routine surveillance under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
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Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao addressed the situation, stating, «I don't think we should be pressing the panic button, because HMPV is not a new virus. The reports claim this is the first case in India, which is not true. Certain percentages of people do get affected by this virus. The child affected has no travel history and is a local resident.»
He added that while China's outbreak suggests a new variant of HMPV, further details are awaited from the Government of India.
HMPV surveillance in India
The health ministry emphasized that HMPV is not a novel pathogen and has been in circulation globally for decades. It is a leading cause of respiratory infections in children and older adults, often presenting symptoms similar to influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Cases linked to HMPV have been reported in countries including the United States, Australia, and China, highlighting its global presence.
ICMR's ongoing efforts aim to track trends in influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illnesses (SARI) across the country. Current data suggests no unusual surge in these cases in India. Surveillance systems remain
