Bengaluru: India reported the first case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) after eight-month-old baby tested positive in Bengaluru, claimed reports. The child is undergoing treatment and a private hospital and does not have any travel history, reported News18.
The state health department reportedly confirmed the case. As per the New18 report, the health department said that the tests of the baby turned out to be positive.
China is witnessing a surge in the HMPV virus triggering panic among the citizens. Several videos have emerged on social media claiming that hospitals are full of patients suffering for various virus, including influenza, COVID-19, HMPV and Mycoplasma pneumonia. China is downplaying concerns over the increase in HMPV cases. Beijing called it "annual seasonal reoccurrence".
“Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the northern hemisphere,” said Mao Ning, spokesperson from the Chinese foreign ministry.
India's Response:
The government said it is keeping a close watch over the situation through all available channels and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also been requested to share timely updates regarding the situation in China, reported IANS.
In a joint monitoring group (JMG) meeting under the chairmanship of DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, experts had detailed discussions around the spread of respiratory illnesses in China. According to them, the situation in China is not unusual in view of the ongoing flu season. The reports also suggest that the cause of the present surge is influenza virus, RSV and HMPV - the usual pathogens that are expected during the season.
