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India’s first case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been detected in Karnataka’s Bengaluru, where an eight-month-old tested positive at the city’s Baptist Hospital on Monday
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India detected its first case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) on Monday (January 6) after an eight-month-old tested positive in Karnataka’s Bengaluru.
The baby’s sample was collected on January 2 at Bengaluru’s Baptist Hospital, according to the laboratory report.
The Karnataka health department, meanwhile, said it didn’t get the sample tested in their lab, with a source in the department informing PTI, “The reports have come from a private hospital and we have no reason to doubt the tests of private hospital.”
As per the state health department, the infant and its family had no history of recent travel. Also, the child did not show any symptoms of concern.
The Karnataka Health Department has informed the Union Health Ministry about the HMPV case in Bengaluru and is likely waiting for the further guidance from both the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the central ministry.
Similar to COVID-19, how HMPV spreads?
Similar to COVID-19, HMPV spreads through droplets or aerosols generated by coughing, sneezing, and close contact with infected individuals. Common symptoms include fever, difficulty breathing, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and headaches. However, doctors have warned that some patients may develop bronchitis or pneumonia as a result of the infection.
Currently, there is no vaccine or effective medication for HMPV, and treatment mainly focuses on alleviating symptoms.
Outbreak in China
Recently, there has been a rise in HMPV cases in China, especially in the northern provinces. To better manage and respond to such outbreaks, China’s disease control authorities have implemented a monitoring system for the unknown virus attack.
China’s struggle to manage HMPV makes the world anxious
Recent videos circulating online show Chinese hospitals struggling to manage patients. Many claim that the hospital overcrowding has been caused by a sudden outbreak of infection caused by the Human Metapneumovirus or HMPV.
“There is news doing the rounds about a Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China which is serious. HMPV is a normal respiratory virus which causes symptoms like cold. Some people can get flu-like symptoms, especially elderly people and infants. But this is not something serious or worrisome,” Dr Atul Goel, the director general of health services, said on Friday ahead of the meeting, TOI reported.
Covid effect: India tells WHO to share timely inputs on outbreaks in China
India has asked the World Health Organisation (WHO) to share updated reports of the rising cases of the new respiratory illness that is spreading rapidly in China. According to the Health Ministry, a Joint Monitoring Group meeting was held under the chairmanship of the DG of health services on Saturday to monitor the current situation in the neighbouring nation.
According to The Times of India, experts from the WHO, Disaster Management cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, National Centre for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research, and hospitals, including AIIMS, Delhi participated in the meeting.
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