5 cases of HMPV virus confirmed in India

Five infants tested positive for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat yesterday, the first reported cases of the virus in India.

Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda sought to assuage rising public concerns over the spread of the virus saying the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no reason to panic as the virus has been circulating throughout the world.

While two babies were infected by the virus in the same hospital in Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka, two other infants tested positive in two hospitals in Chennai and one case was reported from Ahmedabad city in Gujarat.   

"A 3-month-old female infant, who was diagnosed with HMPV, had been admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru with a history of bronchopneumonia. She has since been discharged. An 8-month-old male infant, who tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, was also admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, with a history of bronchopneumonia. The infant is now recovering," the Indian government has confirmed.

A two-month-old infant has been diagnosed as the first case of HMPV virus in Gujarat state and he is undergoing treatment, state health minister Rushikesh Patel was quoted by Businessline newspaper as saying.

Two children in Chennai are currently undergoing treatment, a health official said yesterday. One of the two children, who was admitted to the Orange Hospital in Chennai, is absolutely alright and is ready for discharge, said Dr Nirav Patel who is monitoring the two-month-old infant.

HMPV is a globally recognized respiratory virus whose outbreak was first reported from China. It is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in people of all age groups.

The Indian government said that HMPV, along with other respiratory viruses like Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), is not uncommon during the flu season.