HMPV in Maharashtra: Six-Month-Old Baby Diagnosed at Mumbai’s Hiranandani Hospital
HMPV in Maharashtra: Six-Month-Old Baby Diagnosed at Mumbai's Hiranandani Hospital
Mumbai, January 8 – A case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) was reported in a six-month-old baby at Hiranandani Hospital in Powai. The baby, admitted on January 1 with severe cough, chest tightness, and oxygen levels dropping to 84%, was diagnosed with HMPV through a rapid PCR test.
Doctors treated the baby’s symptoms using bronchodilators in the ICU, as there is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV. The baby made a full recovery and was discharged after five days of care. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Health Department has increased monitoring for influenza and severe respiratory infections but noted that they had not received any reports of this case.
Centre Urges States to Strengthen Surveillance for Respiratory Illnesses
Following the detection of five HMPV cases across India, the Union Health Ministry has advised states to enhance surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). Awareness campaigns on preventing HMPV transmission have also been emphasized.
In Maharashtra’s Nagpur, two suspected HMPV cases were reported on Tuesday. Both patients were treated and discharged, with their samples sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur and the National Institute of Virology in Pune for confirmation. India’s first HMPV cases were reported earlier this week from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat, where five children tested positive.
Union Health Ministry: No Cause for Public Concern
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a virtual meeting with states and Union Territories on January 6 to review the situation. She reiterated that HMPV, a globally recognized virus causing respiratory infections since 2001, is not a new threat. Current data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) shows no unusual spike in ILI or SARI cases nationwide.
The health ministry attributed the increase in respiratory illnesses to the winter season and assured the public of adequate preparedness for managing any potential surge. Srivastava also stressed the importance of continuous ILI/SARI surveillance to detect and mitigate outbreaks effectively.
While HMPV cases surge in countries like China, India remains vigilant, with no reason for alarm, said Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda.
