The HMPV virus, which has spread worldwide after the COVID-19 pandemic, is now rising in China and has reached India. Authorities have confirmed India’s first HMPV case.
A private hospital in Bengaluru diagnosed an 8-month-old puppy with HMPV. The Karnataka Health Department acknowledged the report, stating, “Although we have not tested it in our lab, we have no reason to doubt the private hospital’s findings.”
This marks the first instance of HMPV detection in India. Typically, the virus affects children, with recent studies showing HMPV in 0.7% of flu samples. However, the exact strain remains unidentified.
The Karnataka Health Department emphasized that while no official confirmation exists, HMPV is likely present in the environment. “If tested, most people would likely test positive, as it is a common virus,” officials added. They noted that there is currently no vaccine, and its symptoms resemble those of the common cold.
Globally, HMPV was identified in countries like the Netherlands, the UK, Finland, Australia, Canada, the USA, and China in 2023.