An eight-month-old infant in Bengaluru has been diagnosed with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), marking the city’s first recorded case. The case was identified at the prominent Baptist Hospital in the northern region of Bengaluru. However, the Karnataka state health department clarified that the sample had not been tested in their laboratory. “The findings are based on reports from a private hospital, and we have no grounds to question their validity,” stated a health department official.
HMPV predominantly affects children under the age of 11, and it constitutes approximately 0.7% of all flu cases.
“We are yet to determine the specific strain involved, as we currently lack data on the strain identified in China,” the official added.
On Saturday, the Karnataka health department issued an advisory following reports of an HMPV outbreak in China. In its statement, the department noted, “There has been no previously reported case of HMPV in the State of Karnataka,” making this infant case the first documented instance.
The advisory also highlighted that an analysis of respiratory infection data within Karnataka showed no significant rise in cases during December 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The Government of India confirmed that HMPV cases have occurred in the country in prior years.
Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced on Saturday that the state was closely monitoring the situation. She emphasized Kerala’s preparedness to address potential outbreaks and manage cases if necessary.
