January 6, 2025: An eight-month-old infant in Bengaluru has reportedly tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), according to a laboratory report dated January 2. The child, whose sample was processed by a private facility, had no recent travel history and showed no concerning symptoms, as per sources from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) health department.

While the state health department has not independently verified the findings, officials acknowledged the reliability of the private lab’s testing procedures. “We trust the accuracy of their testing methodologies,” said a health department representative in a statement quoted by India Today.

HMPV, a respiratory virus primarily affecting children, is detected in approximately 0.7% of flu cases globally. However, Karnataka health officials have indicated that detailed information about the specific strain of the virus involved in this case is currently unavailable.

The suspected case in Bengaluru coincides with increasing global attention on HMPV, particularly amid reports of respiratory illness surges in China. Videos and social media posts have highlighted overwhelmed hospitals and speculation about outbreaks of multiple respiratory pathogens, including HMPV, influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19. Despite the growing concerns, India’s Directorate General of Health Services has reassured the public, stating there is “nothing to be alarmed about,” as reported by Doordarshan.

Health authorities are monitoring the situation, and experts emphasize the need for vigilance, especially in young children who are more vulnerable to respiratory infections like HMPV.