2 new cases of HMPV detected in Chennai, tally reaches 6 in country

Chennai, : As many as two new cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected in Chennai. Following this the tally of positives has risen to six, said reports on Monday. A 5-monthold baby who arrived from Mumbai was tested positive for HMPV in Kolkata. The child had severe cold and cough and on being tested was found to be positive. Gujarat has confirmed its first case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and the third case reported in India. The third case is a child who is said to be around two-months-old. One of the affected individuals is a three-month-old female infant, who was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. She had a history of
bronchopneumonia and was discharged after receiving treatment. The second case involves an 8-month-old male infant, who tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, following his admission to
Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru, also with a history of bronchopneumonia. HMPV is a respiratory virus that is already circulating globally, including in India. An eight-month-old baby was identified with the HMPV virus in Bengaluru. This is the city’s first case that was diagnosed at Baptist Hospital.Human
metapneumovirus was first discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands in the respiratory secretions of 28 young children. It has symptoms such as cold, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Children, older people and those who are immunologically compromised can be easily affected by the virus. Similar to Covid it can spread through infected droplets and through touching infected surface. The Karnataka government
said they do not know the specific strain because they don’t have the data relating to the particular strain that was identified in China. Moreover, the state health department clarified that the sample was tested at a private hospital, and they don’t have reasons to doubt its accuracy. According to the health department, “The reports have come from a private hospital and we have no reason to doubt the tests of private hospital.” The health department in Karnataka has advised everyone to wear mask as a precautionary measure.