Assam has recorded its first case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection this season, with a 10-month-old baby found infected with the virus. Officials said the infant is undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh and his condition is said to be stable.
Government hospital superintendent Dr Dhrubjyoti Bhuiyan said the child was admitted to AMCH four days ago with cold-related symptoms. The HMPV infection was confirmed yesterday after receiving test results from Lahowal-based ICMR-RMRC.
Bhuiyan said samples for testing in influenza and flu-related cases are sent to the Indian Council of Medical Research or IMCR as a routine practice. It was a routine checkup during which the HMPV infection was detected. The child is now stable. This is a common virus and there is nothing to worry about.
Dr Vishwajit Borkakoti, senior scientist at ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Center in Lahowal (Dibrugarh), said that since 2014, we have detected 110 cases of HMPV in Dibrugarh district. This is the first case of this season. It is detected every year and it is nothing new. We have received the sample from AMCH and it has been confirmed to be HMPV.