January 7, 2025: Two children in Nagpur, aged seven and 14, have tested positive for the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), bringing the total number of cases in India to seven. The children, admitted to a private hospital in the city's Ramdaspeth area on January 3, were diagnosed after presenting symptoms such as fever and cough.

HMPV is a respiratory illness similar to COVID-19, affecting both the upper and lower respiratory tracts with symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, and sore throat. Health authorities in Maharashtra have placed the state on high alert, urging residents with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) symptoms to exercise caution.

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has scheduled a high-level meeting at 3 PM today at St. George's Hospital Health Centre in Mumbai to discuss containment measures. Union Minister of State for Health, Prataprao Jadhav, will also attend the meeting.

The recent cases in Nagpur follow other HMPV detections across India: one in Ahmedabad, Gujarat; two in Bengaluru, Karnataka; and two in Tamil Nadu. Gujarat and Karnataka, which share borders with Maharashtra, are also on alert for potential spread.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda addressed the situation, assuring the public that HMPV is not a new virus, having been globally recognized since its discovery in 2001. "The Centre is actively monitoring the situation and implementing necessary measures to safeguard public health," he said, emphasizing the importance of vigilance without panic.

The Maharashtra health department plans to release guidelines soon to educate the public about preventive measures against HMPV. Meanwhile, citizens are encouraged to follow basic hygiene practices, wear masks, and consult healthcare professionals if symptoms arise.