Karnataka issues advisory on HMPV outbreak after Bengaluru reports 2 cases​on January 6, 2025 at 8:43 am

After the detection of two HMPV cases in Bengaluru, the Karnataka government has issued a health advisory, urging people to wear masks in crowded places.

HMPV was first discovered in 2001 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, few serological evidence points out that the virus has been in existence since at least 1958.

After three cases of HMPV were detected in India, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj asked all hospitals in the national capital to be completely prepared to handle any potential increase in respiratory illness. Stressing on the the urgency of the situation, Bharadwaj instructed the health officials not to delay any action and get in touch with him directly over phone, if needed.

 

While the HMPV virus belongs to different viral families, experts have noted that there are several symptoms which are similar to Covid-19 when it comes to its symptoms and transmission. Like Covid-19, HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces.

The HMPV virus primarily affects the respiratory system. According to doctors, sore throat, fever, nasal congestion, cough and shortness of breath are some major symptoms. Amid rising HMPV cases in India’s neighbouring China, several states, including Delhi, have issued advisories and directives to its health workers and hospitals.

The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus, has caught attention in India following a potential first case reported in Bengaluru.  

HMPV primarily affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts, posing a significant risk to vulnerable groups, including young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.  

Although first identified in 2001, the virus remains underdiagnosed despite its potential to cause severe respiratory illnesses.

Healthcare professionals typically use two primary methods to detect the virus.

To learn about the tests to detect the virus, click here.

Delhi health authorities have issued an advisory to address potential health challenges linked to Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other respiratory viruses, following a surge in cases reported in China.  

Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday urged the central government to take “immediate action” in light of the emerging health concerns.  

On Sunday, Vandana Bagga, Delhi’s top health official, convened a meeting with chief district medical officers and the state programme officer of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) to assess preparedness for managing respiratory illnesses.

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India has reported three cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus known to cause respiratory distress, amid a surge in infections in China.

In Bengaluru, an eight-month-old boy and a three-month-old girl tested positive for HMPV. Neither child has a history of international travel, health authorities confirmed.

In Ahmedabad, a two-month-old infant from Rajasthan’s Dungarpur district was diagnosed with HMPV. The child, currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital, is reported to be in a stable condition.

Health officials are monitoring the situation as HMPV continues to circulate globally.

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