Global HMPV tracker: According to the Union Health Ministry, three cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) were confirmed in India on Monday, marking the first reported cases of the virus in the country.

In Bengaluru, there was a three-month-old baby who was discharged and an eight-month-old child who is recovering in a hospital. A two-month-old child was also found infected in Ahmedabad.

The affected infants and their families have not traveled recently, so exposure from other regions or countries is ruled out. HMPV is a globally recognized respiratory virus that recently gained attention after its outbreak was reported in China.

The Union Health Ministry said it is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels. The Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR) will continue to monitor trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year, it said.

Governments in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi have issued guidelines – similar to those followed during Covid-19 – to ensure preparedness for potential health challenges associated with HMPV.

First identified in 2001, HMPV is a respiratory infection that causes flu-like symptoms. It can affect people of all ages, although children under five, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.

Here are the latest updates on HMPV: