India’s first human metapneumovirus (HMPV) case confirmed, but officials say ‘no cause for concern’

New Delhi – Indian officials have confirmed the great nation’s first case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), with seven people said to have contracted the virus as of Tuesday, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Two of the HMPV infections were reported in the central Indian city of Nagpur on Tuesday, while two cases were reported in the cities of Bengaluru, and one each in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Salem on Monday. The cases include a three-month-old girl who tested positive for HMPV on Monday. Another case involved an eight-month-old boy who tested positive for both HMPV and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

HMPV can cause upper and lower respiratory diseases in people of all ages. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of serious illness from the virus. According to the CDC, symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.

HMPV infections are reportedly increasing in Chinaattracts interest around the world, but Dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, director of infection prevention and control at Children’s Medical Center Plano in Texas, told CBS News this week that there was no concern about a potential new pandemic.

“This has been circulating for a while, so people have some immunity,” she said, adding that the virus was quite stable, unlike COVID-19 virus that mutates frequently, making it harder to fight.

India’s federal government on Monday asked states to intensify surveillance of respiratory diseases and spread awareness on how to prevent the transmission of HMPV. Preventive measures include covering the mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing, frequent hand washing and wearing masks in crowded places.

“Health experts have clarified that HMPV is not a new virus; it was first identified in 2001 and has been circulating throughout the world for many years,” Indian Health Minister JP Nadda said on Monday. “The country’s health systems and surveillance networks are on alert and there is no cause for concern.”

Nadda said the infected people in India had no recent travel history and that the government is “closely monitoring the situation in China and neighboring countries.”

The health ministry also said the HMPV infections were “no cause for concern” as there has been no unusual increase in respiratory diseases detected in the country, and it noted that India was well prepared for any increase should it occur.

“The viral infection is usually a mild and self-limiting condition and most cases resolve on their own,” the ministry said in a declaration on Tuesday.

Health agencies, such as the UN World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have expressed no concern about the HMPV infections in Asia.

Sara Moniuszko contributed to this report.