India's HMPV cases rise to 7; no surge in respiratory illnesses: Centre

New Delhi: Two children in Nagpur, Maharashtra, have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), bringing the total number of cases in India to seven. The two affected children, aged seven and 13, were initially suspected to have contracted H1N1 (swine flu), but subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests confirmed the presence of HMPV.

Both children have recovered through outpatient care, as reported by the Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences in Nagpur. The other confirmed cases of HMPV are from Karnataka (2), Gujarat (1), and Tamil Nadu (2).

Despite these cases, the Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, assured that there has been no surge in respiratory illnesses across the country. She emphasized that the government is maintaining "sturdy surveillance" to monitor and detect any such cases.

The Ministry of Health has advised states to increase public awareness regarding preventive measures for respiratory infections. States have also been urged to strengthen and review their surveillance systems for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda affirmed that India’s surveillance network remains vigilant and that the country is prepared to respond swiftly to any emerging health challenges. "There is no reason to worry. We are closely monitoring the situation," he said.

Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, a former scientist with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), reassured the public that HMPV is not a deadly virus. He explained that most infections are mild and that the virus typically causes cold-like symptoms for 4 to 5 days. While it can lead to pneumonitis in some cases, especially in young children under five and adults over 65, there is currently no evidence of high mortality rates associated with the virus.

"HMPV has a global prevalence of about 4 percent, and the mortality rates are still unknown," Gangakhedkar added.

With IANS inputs