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India detected the first two cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka’s Bengaluru during routine surveillance on Monday.
Two infants were infected with the virus, Indian news outlets said. One case is also suspected in Gujarat.
The development comes amid a surge in HMPV cases in China, leading to overcrowded hospitals and fears of a wider outbreak. The respiratory virus, which causes symptoms similar to a cold, was also detected in Malaysia last year.
An Indian news outlet said HMPV is known to cause flu-like symptoms and can also present symptoms similar to COVID-19, prompting health officials to closely monitor the situation. The increase in infection comes five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, and reports suggest the virus is spreading rapidly.