HMPV Hits Karnataka: Two Bengaluru Infants Test Positive: Is the Virus Linked To China’s New Strain?

The initial test results for two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in Bengaluru - an eight-month-old boy and a three-month-old girl - have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for more detailed analysis and confirmation, sources from Karnataka's health ministry told News18.

Bengaluru has reported two suspected cases of HMPV in infants, neither of whom have any travel history. According to the Union Health Ministry, these cases were detected through routine surveillance in Karnataka.

Addressing concerns, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao assured News18 that HMPV is an existing virus, with a certain percentage of the population frequently contracting it. Both affected infants are local residents with no travel history to China or Malaysia.

"The babies are stable. The outbreak in China is caused by a new variant of HMPV. We don't have full details yet, and the Government of India is still gathering more information. While China may be dealing with a new strain, the HMPV we are seeing in India is not new. It causes common symptoms like cold, flu, and cough. It is a self-limiting virus that resolves on its own," Rao said.

The male infant was admitted on January 2 with viral infection symptoms, including fever and difficulty breathing, according to officials.

A health report obtained by News18 indicates that tests using the R6 Biofire Respiratory Panel for viruses and some bacteria returned positive results for both Human Metapneumovirus and Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus.

The testing for the child began on January 2 at 12:28 p.m., and the confirmation of the 'suspected' virus was received on January 3 at 1:22 p.m.

The report noted that Multiplex PCR testing detected RNA/DNA consistent with the HMPV virus in the infant's samples.

"Human Metapneumovirus and Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus were detected. Multiplex PCR testing identifies microbial RNA/DNA in specimens when these organisms are present at significant levels," the report stated.

Following the confirmation, the hospital alerted state health authorities, who promptly sent the sample for further testing at NIV, Pune.