HMPV: How can Bengaluru baby with no travel history get infected? Doctor explains

India has reported as many as five positive cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) on Monday. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu reported two cases each and Rajasthan one.

The first reported HMPV case in the country was an eight-month-old baby in Bengaluru with no travel history. According to the Karnataka Health Department, it was unclear whether the strain found in Bengaluru was the same as the one causing a surge in China. Moreover, the baby hadn't travelled outside the country either. Many wondered how it was possible for the child to be infected without travelling abroad.

Health expert Dr Amar Fettle, former state nodal officer for Covid and H1N1, explains, "HMPV has been circulating in India even before (the China outbreak), as part of the common cold viruses that lead to upper and lower respiratory infections. Therefore, it’s not a new virus that requires travel history to spread. The strain is less significant since it constantly evolves, as seen with common cold viruses. It’s being detected now because testing kits have become more widely available."

Follow 'cough hygiene'
Dr Amar emphasises that, while the strict precautions from the COVID era are no longer necessary, it’s still important to teach children basic 'cough hygiene' at this time. "It’s simply about the habit of covering the mouth and nose when sneezing with a tissue or towel. Regular hand washing can also help keep all such diseases at bay. If children feel unwell, they should stay at home to rest, stay hydrated, and maintain good nutrition. There's no need to panic, but vigilance is key," he says. He also advises against spreading false information or panic about the virus to avoid unnecessary fear.