An eight-month-old child in Bengaluru has tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus linked to a surge in cases in China. The child, who has no travel history, was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city, the Karnataka Health Department confirmed.
Key Details:
- Case confirmation: Medical tests confirmed HMPV infection, and the case was reported to the Union Health Ministry.
- No travel history: The child does not have any international travel links, raising concerns about local transmission.
- Unclear strain: It remains uncertain whether the strain detected in Bengaluru is the same as the one causing the outbreak in China.
National Response:
- The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is monitoring respiratory and seasonal influenza cases across India and coordinating with international health agencies amid reports of the outbreak.
- Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, stated that HMPV typically causes mild respiratory symptoms such as the common cold but could lead to severe flu-like symptoms in infants and the elderly.
Health authorities are urging caution and monitoring as they assess the potential risks of the virus in India.
