An 80-year-old man in Gujarat has been diagnosed with Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), marking the first reported case in an elderly individual in India amid a surge in infections in China.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) confirmed the case late on Thursday, stating that the patient has no recent travel history. “The patient is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital and he does not have any travel history abroad,” the AMC said in an official statement.
The patient, who has a history of asthma, was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, and his samples tested positive for HMPV on Thursday. His condition is presently stable, according to AMC authorities.
HMPV, a respiratory virus that spreads through droplets, direct contact, and possibly airborne particles, exhibits symptoms akin to the common cold, ranging from mild conditions such as a runny nose to severe cases involving breathing difficulties and chest pain.
The union health ministry, in a recent communication, noted, “The virus infection is usually mild and self-limiting, and most people recover on their own.”
The ministry also emphasised that HMPV is not new to India and reassured the public that there is no need for panic.
This is the second HMPV case detected in Gujarat this year. Earlier, on 6 January, a two-month-old boy was found to be infected with the virus.
The infant has since been discharged following treatment.
The central government has called upon state governments to intensify surveillance of respiratory illnesses and enhance public awareness to prevent transmission during the peak winter season.
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