The first HMPV cases were detected in south Indian city Bengaluru.
According to the news reports coming from Bengaluru, two infants: a 3-month-old baby girl and 8-month-old baby boy, were diagnosed with Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
The reports of HMPV cases in infants from Bengaluru, came in less than 24 hours from the Union Health Ministry, announcing that no cases were reported in India.
“There have been media reports of some Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases detected in Karnataka. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has detected two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka. Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country,” informed a press statement from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday.
The three-month-old baby girl was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru. The baby got admitted to the hospital due to bronchopneumonia. However the infant got discharged after treatment.
Even eight-month-old baby boy was also admitted in Baptist Hospital with a history of bronchopneumonia. He was tested positive for HMPV on 3rd Jan. After administering treatment, the infant boy is now recovering.
HMPV virus is being called China virus in media and social media, creating panic among people, as it is reminding everyone about deadly Coronavirus. But the Union Health Ministry has been urging Indians not to panic, calling HMPV virus as like any other respiratory virus with regular flu symptoms.
However with the first cases of HMPV detected in infants in Bengaluru, alarm bells will start ringing across India.
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