Mumbai (Maharashtra): The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has clarified that no cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been reported in Mumbai, despite media reports of an ongoing outbreak in China. The BMC also urged the citizens to follow health guidelines issued by authorities and take necessary precautions.
“The Directorate of Health Services, Pune issued a guideline on January 3, 2025, regarding the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China. However, no such cases have been reported in Mumbai or its suburbs,” the BMC stated. The corporation assured the public that there was no cause for alarm and that precautions were in place to monitor the situation.
HMPV is a seasonal virus typically active during winter and early summer, similar to RSV and influenza. First identified in the Netherlands in 2001, the virus has been reported globally, though no significant surge has been observed in India. The BMC emphasized that the current reports from China should not lead to unnecessary panic.
As part of preventive measures, the health department advised citizens to take simple hygiene steps:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
- Avoid public places if symptomatic with fever, cough, or sneezing
- Maintain good ventilation in enclosed spaces
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food
The BMC also advised against shaking hands, reusing tissues or handkerchiefs, and making physical contact with sick individuals.
In related news, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed the detection of two HMPV cases in Karnataka, identified through routine surveillance. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that both affected children were treated in Bengaluru, with no severe cases reported. The ICMR emphasized that these detections are part of its ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses and that there has been no significant increase in respiratory illness cases across India.
HMPV is a common respiratory virus, known to cause upper respiratory infections, but the authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.