Mumbai Infant Becomes Eighth Case of Human Metapneumovirus in India

Mumbai, 8th January 2025: A six-month-old girl from Mumbai has become the eighth case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in India and the third in Maharashtra. The infant, who was admitted on January 1 with severe coughing, chest tightness, and a drop in oxygen levels to 84%, was discharged after five days. Before this, two cases had been reported in Nagpur, involving a seven-year-old and a 13-year-old. Additional cases have been reported from Karnataka (2), Gujarat (1), and Tamil Nadu (2).

Several states, including Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar, have reassured the public not to panic, while Mizoram has established a committee to track the spread of HMPV. Isolation wards have been set up in civil hospitals across three cities in Gujarat—Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot. In response to rising HMPV cases in China, the Centre has urged states to enhance surveillance for respiratory illnesses like ILI and SARI and increase awareness about preventing HMPV transmission.

HMPV is a well-known respiratory virus that typically causes mild infections, particularly during the winter and early spring. It affects people of all ages, but most patients recover without medical intervention. Former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan clarified to NDTV that there is no connection between HMPV and COVID-19, emphasizing that the tracked numbers are “meaningless.” She also recommended wearing masks as a preventive measure.