<p>After the first case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) was reported in Bengaluru on Monday (6th January 2025), Karnataka’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, has scheduled an emergency meeting with officials at 12:30 PM today.</p>
<p>An eight-month-old baby has been diagnosed with the HMPV in Bengaluru. This is India’s first reported case of HMPV. The child has no travel history. The case was detected at Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. The state health department clarified that the sample was not tested in their lab.</p>
<p>According to a News18 report, the case was reportedly conveyed to the Union Health Ministry and it was not clear whether this was the same strain of HMPV causing a spike in China.</p>
<p><strong>READ MORE | <a title=”Is Human Metapneumovirus Deadly Like Covid-19? India On Alert ” href=”https://news.abplive.com/health/human-metapneumovirus-virus-outbreak-in-china-india-on-alert-is-it-deadly-like-covid-19-all-about-hmpv-symptoms-treatment-prevention-tips-1741601″ target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener”>Is Human Metapneumovirus Deadly Like Covid-19? India On Alert </a></strong></p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has assured that India is fully prepared to manage respiratory illnesses. As of now, surveillance mechanisms indicate no unusual surge in cases. On Saturday, the ministry conducted a joint monitoring group meeting to discuss reports of a rise in respiratory illnesses in China over the past few weeks.</p>
<h2><strong>What Is Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)? </strong></h2>
<p>Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that primarily causes symptoms resembling the common cold, including cough, fever, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and shortness of breath. According to the American Lung Association, it was first identified by Dutch scientists in 2001 and is now recognized as a significant cause of respiratory infections. </p>
<p>The Cleveland Clinic notes that while HMPV infections are generally mild, they can become severe in vulnerable groups, including children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems, sometimes requiring hospitalization.</p>
<h3><strong>How Does HMPV Spread? </strong></h3>
<p>HMPV spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that despite being a relatively recent discovery, HMPV is now considered a major cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections worldwide. </p>
<h2><strong>Symptoms Of HMPV </strong></h2>
<p>Most cases of HMPV result in mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to those of a common cold. According to the American Lung Association, typical symptoms include: <br />- Cough <br />- Runny nose or nasal congestion <br />- Sore throat <br />- Fever </p>
<p>In more severe cases, especially in high-risk groups, symptoms may include wheezing, difficulty breathing, and asthma exacerbations.</p>
