Karnataka health officials have confirmed two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the State, clarifying that the infections are from Indian variants, not the Chinese variant. While one patient has been discharged, the other is expected to be discharged soon, authorities said.

“Not the China variant,” said an official from health department, Government of Karnataka. “The two cases in Bengaluru are Indian variants, which are different from the China variant. Currently, we do not have the genomic sequence of the China variant, as it has not been shared. “One of the recorded cases has already been discharged, while the second is likely to be discharged today,” he told businessline.

Explaining further, he provided details on the cases. The first case involved a three-month-old child who was admitted on December 21 and discharged on the 27th. The second case concerns an eight-month-old child who was admitted on January 1, tested on the 2nd, and is likely to be discharged today.

Not first in the country

Karnataka’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, addressed claims that these are the first HMPV cases in the country, emphasising that such claims are incorrect. “HMPV is neither a new virus nor life-threatening,” Rao said on X. He added that HMPV accounts for about 1 per cent of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases and, while it requires attention, it is not a cause for alarm as it is not a deadly disease.

A high-level meeting was convened on Monday at Arogya Soudha with Health Department officials to address the detection of HMPV cases in Bengaluru.

Rao confirmed that the State has taken the necessary precautions and that the situation is under control. “Our healthcare team is closely monitoring the patients to ensure they receive the best possible care. I want to reassure everyone that the situation is under control, and we are taking all necessary precautions to prevent further transmission,” Rao posted on X.

Following the detection in Karnataka, another case of HMPV has been identified in a two-month-old infant who traveled to Gujarat for treatment from neighboring Rajasthan.