'No need to panic': Health min on HMPV

State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday sought to dispel concerns surrounding the detection of two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the state, saying that the virus is not new and does not pose a significant threat.

- Arun Dev

BENGALURU: State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday sought to dispel concerns surrounding the detection of two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the state, saying that the virus is not new and does not pose a significant threat.

Speaking to the media, Rao clarified reports suggesting that Karnataka had recorded the first HMPV cases in India. He stated, "Reports have come out that this is the first case of HMPV in India, which is not true because HMPV is an existing virus and a certain percentage of people get affected by it. It is not something new."

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as part of its routine surveillance of respiratory illnesses, detected two cases of HMPV in Karnataka. According to a statement issued by the ministry of health and family welfare on Monday, the cases were identified during surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens.

The first case was of a three-month-old female infant who was admitted to Bengaluru's Baptist Hospital with a history of bronchopneumonia. She was later diagnosed with HMPV and was later discharged. The second case involved an eight-month-old male infant who tested positive for HMPV on January 3 after being admitted with similar symptoms. He is currently recovering and is expected to be discharged soon, officials said.