Two cases of the new virus strain of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) – which is said to have originated in China and has triggered global concerns around another COVID-type outbreak – have been detected in Karnataka, India.

As per reports of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which is under the Union Health Ministry, one 3-month-old female infant was diagnosed with HMPV after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, with a history of bronchopneumonia. She has been since discharged.

The second case was that of an 8-month-old male infant, who tested positive for HMPV on January 3, 2025, after being admitted to Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, with a history of bronchopneumonia. “The infant is now recovering,” a Union Health Ministry statement said.

None of the affected patients had a history of international travel.

According to a Ministry official, both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country.

In a statement, the Health Ministry reiterated that “the HMPV strain is already in circulation globally, including in India” and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries. 

Furthermore, based on current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, “there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country”, the official said. 

Union Health Ministry, it may be recalled, had on Saturday night carried out high level meetings and said it was monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. 

“The ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year. (And) The World Health Organization (WHO) is already providing timely updates regarding the situation in China to further inform ongoing measures,” the official said. 

The Ministry has already carried out  preparedness drills across the country; and the official claimed that these drills have shown India to be “well-equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses and public health interventions can be deployed promptly, if needed”.