India's HMPV cases surge to 7 after two cases reported from Nagpur

The tally increased to seven after two more children were detected with respiratory disease in the country.

Two children aged seven and 14 tested positive for the virus in Nagpur.

The two minors were admitted to a hospital with fever and cough.

The rest of the cases have been reported from Karnataka (2), Tamil Nadu (2) and Ahmedabad (1).

Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has assured that there is no need to worry about HMPV cases.

He said that this virus was already identified in 2001 and it is not new. "It spreads mainly in winter and early spring," said the minister.

China last Friday confirmed the surge in Human Metapneumovirus cases in the country but downplayed it saying that respiratory infections tend to peak in the winter season.

The spike in Human Metapneumovirus cases in China came to light after several videos and images appeared on social media where a large number of people could be seen visiting hospitals for treatment.

The videos looked similar to the situation that the world faced five years ago during COVID-19 surge, a disease believed to have originated from China.

The COVID-19 surge across the globe claims 7 million deaths.

What is human metapneumovirus (HMPV)?

As per Cleveland Clinic website,  Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that usually causes symptoms similar to a cold.

"You might cough or wheeze, have a runny nose or a sore throat. Most cases are mild, but young children, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for serious illness. HMPV is common — most people get it before they turn 5," the website said.