Two Nagpur Children Test Positive for HMPV, Maharashtra Health Department on Alert

Two children, aged seven and 14, tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Nagpur, raising the total number of cases in the country to seven. The children were taken to a private hospital in the Ramdaspeth area on January 3 for treatment of fever and cough. Following tests, hospital authorities confirmed the infections.

HMPV, a respiratory illness similar to Covid-19, affects the upper and lower respiratory tract and is characterized by symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and sore throat.

The Maharashtra health department has issued an alert, cautioning against a possible surge in cases. Citizens with symptoms of cough, fever, or Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) have been advised to take extra precautions. Officials have urged people to remain calm and announced plans to release guidelines for prevention and management soon.

With the latest cases in Nagpur, the total number of infections in India now stands at seven. Earlier, a two-month-old boy in Ahmedabad, two cases in Bengaluru, and two in Tamil Nadu were reported. Both Gujarat and Karnataka share borders with Maharashtra, prompting heightened vigilance in the state.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda addressed public concerns, stating that HMPV is not a new virus and has been present globally since its discovery in 2001. Despite the gradual rise in cases, the minister assured there is no need for panic.​