The first cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been confirmed in the country, involving two infants aged 3 months and 8 months. The third such case has been detected in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The emergence of these cases in the same region where the COVID-19 outbreak was first identified five years ago has sparked public anxiety.
The cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, as part of ICMR's ongoing efforts to monitor respiratory illnesses across the country, the Centre has said in an official statement.
