Assam reports first HMPV case of the season, India records over 10 cases so far

A 10-month-old child in Assam has been diagnosed with a human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection, marking the first reported case this season, officials confirmed on Saturday. The child is currently being treated at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh and is said to be in stable condition.

In a PTI report, the superintendent of AMCH Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan shared that the child had been admitted to the hospital four days ago with symptoms related to a cold. “The HMPV infection was confirmed after we received the test results from the ICMR-RMRC in Lahowal,” he said.

The testing of samples for influenza and flu-related illnesses is part of the hospital's routine process.


Dr. Bhuyan reassured that HMPV is a common virus and typically does not pose a serious threat. "The child is stable now, and there is no need to worry," he added.

Dr. Biswajit Borkakoty, Senior Scientist at the ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre in Lahowal, explained that since 2014, the center has detected 110 cases of HMPV in Dibrugarh. "This is the first case of the season. It is a virus that is found every year, and there’s nothing new about it. The sample from AMCH was found positive for HMPV,” he said.

HMPV is one of several respiratory viruses that commonly affect people during the winter and early spring months. While the infection is usually mild and self-limiting, most patients recover on their own without complications.

According to PTI, the health officials are closely monitoring the situation but have emphasized that there is no immediate cause for concern.

Inputs from PTI