France's health ministry confirmed its first case of a new mpox virus. The detection comes just weeks after the World Health Organization upheld its highest alert level in response to the ongoing epidemic.

French health officials announced on Tuesday its first case of a dangerous new strain of the mpox virus that has created havoc in central Africa.

France has identified its first case of the new mpox variant, news agency AFP reported on Monday, citing a statement from the country's health ministry. The patient had not traveled to Central Africa,

The Centre has confirmed that there is no surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in India. Chairing a review meeting with states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava advised states to intensify surveillance for severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) to identify any

An eight-month-old male infant with a history of bronchopneumonia tested positive for HMPV on January 3 after being admitted to Baptist Hospital. He is now recovering, it said. It is important to note that neither of the patients have any history of international travel, the ministry underlined.

The flu-like virus can lead to serious illness among vulnerable groups, such as young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.