New Delhi, January 6 (IANS). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected two cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka, who had no travel history.
HMPV infection was detected through routine surveillance in a 3-month-old girl and an 8-month-old boy in Bengaluru.
The infection was identified after the children were admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. Both children had a history of pneumonia called bronchopneumonia, which is a type of lung infection. Bronchopneumonia affects the alveoli in both the lungs and the bronchi.
“Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, which is part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory diseases across the country,” the health ministry statement said.
The ministry said the girl has been discharged from the hospital, while the boy is now healthy.
“It is important to note that none of the affected patients have a history of international travel,” the ministry said.
HMPV is already being seen globally including in India. Cases of respiratory diseases associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries, especially China.
The Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels, reporting that there has been no unusual increase in cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) in the country.
The ministry said ICMR will continue to monitor trends in HMPV prevalence throughout the year.
HMPV was first discovered in 2001 and is part of the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Symptoms associated with HMPV commonly include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing.
Earlier, Dr Atul Goyal of the Directorate General of Health Services said the disease could cause “flu-like symptoms” in the elderly and very young children.
“There is no need to panic regarding the current situation,” he said.
Goyal also suggested taking regular precautions against respiratory infections.
He said, “If someone has cough and cold, he should avoid coming in contact with many people, so that the infection does not spread.”
“Use a separate handkerchief or towel for coughing and sneezing and take normal medicines whenever you have cold or fever, otherwise there is no need to panic regarding the current situation,” Goyal said.
–IANS
MKS/AS
