An eight-month-old infant in Bengaluru has become the first confirmed case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the area. The infant’s sample was collected on January 2, with the laboratory report confirming the potential infection. According to sources in the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) health department, the family had no history of recent travel, and the infant did not display any concerning symptoms.

Although the state health department has not independently verified the results, officials have expressed confidence in the accuracy of the private laboratory’s findings. “We trust the accuracy of their testing procedures,” said a health department official, as reported by India Today.

HMPV primarily affects children and is responsible for about 0.7% of flu cases globally. However, Karnataka health officials noted that they do not have detailed information on the specific strain involved in this case.

As speculation grows about the spread of HMPV in China, the Directorate General of Health Services has reassured the public, stating there is “nothing to be alarmed about,” according to Doordarshan.

What is HMPV?

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has gained attention recently, fueled by reports and videos circulating on social media, which claim that hospitals in China are overwhelmed by a surge of respiratory illnesses, including HMPV. Some posts suggest that multiple viruses, including HMPV, influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19, are contributing to overcrowding in hospitals and cemeteries.

HMPV, first identified in 2001 by researchers in the Netherlands, is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, according to the American Lung Association. The virus spreads primarily through close contact with infected individuals, either through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing or by touching contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs or toys. In the United States, HMPV is more common during the winter and spring months, coinciding with the circulation of other respiratory viruses like Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu.

Symptoms of HMPV

The symptoms of HMPV can range from mild to severe and typically include a cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat. Some individuals may also experience wheezing and shortness of breath (dyspnea). In certain cases, a rash may develop as part of the infection.