New Delhi, January 07, 2025.
While India has confirmed five cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) – two in Karnataka and one in Gujarat – the government of India and health experts have been emphasisng that there is no need to panic as the it is not a new pathogen, adding that regular flu shots or even the three Covid vaccine doses makes one immune to this infection.
India on Monday confirmed its first five cases of HMPV – two in Karnataka, one in Gujarat and two in Tamil Nadu. All the cases have been detected in children. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that the two cases in Karnataka were detected during routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.
Health minister JP Nadda said in a video message that the virus has been circulating since years and there is no reason to panic. A health expert said that even though there is no vaccine for HMPV, a regular flu shot or three doses of Covid vaccine makes one immune against it.
