HMPV in India: ICMR detects two cases in Bengaluru

Two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected in Karnataka, as confirmed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

These cases were identified through routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens, which is part of ICMR's ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country, according to a press release by Health Ministry.

HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and has been linked to respiratory illnesses in various countries.

However, based on data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), there has been no unusual rise in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country.

The two HMPV cases are as follows:

• A 3-month-old female infant was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru for bronchopneumonia. The infant has since been discharged after recovering.
• 
  An 8-month-old male infant tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, after being admitted to the same hospital with bronchopneumonia. The infant is currently recovering.

Neither of the affected patients had any history of international travel.

The ministry said it is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. The ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been providing timely updates on the situation in China to inform ongoing measures.