Bhubaneswar, January 6: The Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department of Odisha has confirmed its preparedness to detect and manage cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the state, urging the public not to panic. The statement follows reports of HMPV cases detected in Karnataka.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently identified two cases of HMPV in Bengaluru as part of its routine surveillance of respiratory pathogens. Both cases involved infants diagnosed with bronchopneumonia, and both are recovering well without any history of international travel.
The H&FW Department clarified that HMPV is not a new virus and is already circulating globally, including in India. Despite these isolated cases, data from the ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) show no significant rise in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases across the country.
The Union Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation, with ICMR continuing to track the virus’s trends nationwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also providing timely updates regarding the global situation, including developments in China.
