Hospital stocks surge up to 4% after India reports 3 confirmed cases of HMPV
Sensex and Nifty plunged 1.6% on Monday, certain hospital stocks attracted investors' attention after the government confirmed three confirmed cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) — 2 in Karnataka and one in Gujarat — amid reports of a virus outbreak creating havoc in China.
Bengaluru-based Narayana Hrudayalaya shot up 3.4% to hit the day's high of Rs 1,355 on the NSE while Rainbow Childrens Medicare was up 4% in the intraday trade. Others including Apollo Hospitals, Aster DM Healthcare, Krishna Institute of Medical Science (KIMS) were up by up to 2% in the day's trade.
The fear gauge index, India VIX, jumped 13% as a widespread sell-off was seen across mid and smallcap stocks as well as in various sectors. The Sensex fell over 1,200 points to its day's low of 77,960, while the Nifty tumbled near the 23,600 level.
While confirming the detection of 3 HMPV cases, the Union Health Ministry said the cases were found through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR's ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across India.
Two of the cases are of infants, who had no history of international travel. While the 3-month-old female infant, who was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru with a history of bronchopneumonia, has been discharged, an 8-month-old male infant, who tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, is now recovering.
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