First cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) confirmed in India, but officials say ‘no cause for concern’

New Delhi — Indian officials have confirmed the vast country’s first cases of human metapneumovirus, which is often called HMPVand seven people are said to have contracted the virus since Tuesday, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Two HMPV infections were reported in the central Indian city of Nagpur on Tuesday, while two cases were reported in the cities of Bengaluru and one each in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Salem on Monday. The cases include a three-month-old girl who tested positive for HMPV on Monday. The second case involved an eight-month-old boy who tested positive for both HMPV and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

HMPV can cause upper and lower respiratory tract diseases in people of all ages. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk of serious illness caused by the virus. According to the CDC, symptoms commonly associated with HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.

HMPV infections are supposedly grows in Chinacausing interest worldwide, but dr. Carla Garcia Carreno, director of infection prevention and control at Children’s Medical Center in Plano, Texas, told CBS News this week that there is no concern about a possible new pandemic.

“This has been circulating for a while, so people have some immunity,” she said, adding that the virus is quite stable, unlike COVID 19 a virus that often mutates, which makes it difficult to fight it.

India’s federal government on Monday asked states to step up surveillance of respiratory diseases and spread awareness about how to prevent HMPV transmission. Preventive measures include covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, washing hands frequently and wearing masks in crowded places.

“Health experts have clarified that HMPV is not a new virus; it was first identified in 2001 and has been circulating around the world for many years,” Indian Health Minister JP Nadda said on Monday. “The country’s health systems and surveillance networks are on alert and there is no cause for concern.”

Nadda said the people infected in India had not traveled recently and that the government was “closely monitoring the situation in China and neighboring countries”.

The health ministry also said HMPV infections were “no cause for concern” as the country had not seen an unusual rise in respiratory diseases, and noted that India was well prepared for any rise should it occur.

“Viral infection is usually a mild and self-limiting condition and most cases recover on their own,” the ministry said statement on Tuesday.

Health agencies, such as the United Nations World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have not expressed any concern about HMPV infections in Asia.

contributed to this report.