Two children in Nagpur, Maharashtra, have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), bringing the national total to seven, health officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The cases involve a seven-year-old and a 13-year-old, initially suspected to have contracted H1N1 (swine flu). Subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests confirmed the presence of HMPV. Both chil
dren received outpatient care and have since fully recovered, according to the Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences in Nagpur.
Other confirmed HMPV cases in the country have been reported from Karnataka (2), Gujarat (1), and Tamil Nadu (2).
The Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, recently reviewed the situation concerning respiratory illnesses in India, alongside the public health measures in place to address them.
The government has assured that there is "no surge in respiratory illnesses" nationwide and that robust surveillance systems are in place to identify such cases.
States have been advised to enhance public awareness regarding preventive measures and strengthen surveillance for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda reiterated that India's health surveillance network remains vigilant and well-prepared to respond to any emerging health threats. "There is no cause for alarm. We are closely monitoring the situation," Nadda said.
Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, a former ICMR scientist, highlighted that HMPV is not considered a deadly virus. “Most infections are mild, affecting primarily children under five and adults over 65. It typically causes common cold-like symptoms lasting four to five days,” he told reporters.
He added that while the virus can lead to pneumonitis-like illnesses in rare cases, its mortality rate is negligible. “Globally, HMPV has a prevalence rate of about 4%,” Gangakhedkar noted.
Follow us
