Assam's First HMPV Case Detected, 10-Month-Old Child Tests Positive

A 10-month-old child has tested positive for HMPV, marking the first case in Assam this year, officials have confirmed.

The infant was admitted to AMCH, Dibrugarh, where the case was identified during routine HMPV screening at the Regional VRDL laboratory, ICMR-RMRC. Since 2014, the lab has reported over 100 HMPV cases from the city, but this is the first case of 2025, according to officials.

Photo Credit: PTI

Assam's Health Minister Ashok Singhal reassured the public on Friday that HMPV is not a new virus and that the state government is fully prepared to implement necessary measures in line with central government advisories.

AMCH Superintendent on HMPV Cases

AMCH superintendent Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan explained that the child had been admitted to the hospital with a common cold and was diagnosed with HMPV during routine testing.

"Four days ago, the child was admitted to AMCH for a common cold issue. Yesterday, the child tested positive for the virus after a test at Lahowal ICMR-RMRC," he said.

He further clarified that the toddler is in a stable condition and reassured the public, stating that HMPV is a common virus that typically affects children under the age of five, so there is "nothing to worry about".

India's HMPV Tally Grows

Since January 7, at least 10 cases of HMPV infection have been confirmed across India. Initially, cases were reported in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, followed by confirmations in Gujarat the same day. Two more cases were then reported in Nagpur, Maharashtra. On Wednesday, another case was confirmed in Mumbai, and on Thursday, another case emerged from Ahmedabad.

Health officials noted that of the total 11 HMPV cases, two were in Bengaluru, one in Gujarat, two in Chennai, and three in Kolkata. Two cases were also confirmed in Nagpur, with one in Mumbai.

While HMPV infections are not new to India, several cases were also reported in December.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda stated on Monday that HMPV is not a new virus, as it was first identified in 2001, and has been circulating globally for several years.