Gujarat has reported its fourth case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), with a nine-month-old child in Ahmedabad testing positive for the infection on January 11, 2024. This marks the fourth confirmed case in the state within a span of just five days.
The infant, who was admitted to a private hospital on January 6, presented symptoms including a cold, cough, and breathing difficulties. According to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, the child has no history of travel abroad or to other states.
Earlier, on January 10, an eight-year-old boy from Sabarkantha district was also confirmed to be infected with HMPV, making him the third reported case in the state. Additionally, on January 8, an 80-year-old man from Ahmedabad, suffering from asthma, tested positive for the virus and is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.
The first case of HMPV in Gujarat was identified on January 6, when a two-month-old boy from Rajasthan was diagnosed with the viral infection. After receiving treatment, the child was discharged from the hospital.
HMPV, first identified in 2001, belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and shares similarities with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The virus is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, and can also spread through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.
The authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely as the number of reported cases rises. Health officials are advising the public to take precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, including frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
