No Special Measures for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka

Karnataka rules out special measures for the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), citing that it is not a notifiable disease and has been present in the country for a while, said Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.

In a statement issued on Monday, following two cases of HMPV being detected in Bengaluru, the government stated that there was no surge in influenza-like illnesses. The minister asserted that the samples would not be sent for genome sequencing to Pune's National Institute of Virology (NIV) as HMPV is a known virus.

There has been no need to panic, according to Gundu Rao, who explained that almost 1 per cent of cases have been caused by HMPV and fatalities have been negligible. The government has ruled out specific monitoring at hospitals or airports, hence there will be no specific guidelines issued for screening the virus.

HMPV is not a notifiable disease and it will be recorded under influenza-like illnesses (ILI), Gundu Rao stated. There is no need to set up isolation wards or take other special measures, he added.

The Union health ministry reported that neither of the HMPV patients had any history of international travel. Earlier in the day, a statement by the Karnataka health department mentioned an eight-month-old baby's case detected at a private hospital in Bengaluru. However, this infant did not undergo tests at a government laboratory and is still awaiting confirmation.

The healthcare minister also stated that while reports suggest there has been no prior cases in India, it is not true as HMPV has existed since 1958 and affects certain percentage of people.

Cities like Delhi issued an advisory for preparedness on HMPV amid surging cases in China. Meanwhile, Maharashtra stepped up surveillance measures.