A new case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been confirmed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, bringing the total number of reported infections in India to three. The patient, a child from Dungarpur, Rajasthan, was admitted to a private hospital in Ahmedabad on December 24 after showing symptoms of respiratory infection. The infant, who was initially placed on a ventilator, is now stable, according to local health officials.
This comes after two cases of HMPV were detected earlier in Karnataka. The first case involved a three-month-old female infant, who was discharged after treatment, while the second case, an eight-month-old male infant, is currently recovering.
Despite the recent reports, health authorities have emphasized that there is no significant surge in respiratory illnesses, including Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (SARI) in India. The virus, though circulating globally, has not shown unusual activity in the country.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) continues to monitor trends and is well-prepared to respond to any potential outbreak, with the government ensuring that health systems remain equipped to handle a rise in respiratory infections if necessary. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) is providing updates on the situation in China, where there have been reports of a surge in respiratory cases.
