Union Health Secretary says HMPV situation under control

Arijit Bose

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has reassured the public that there is no spike in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in India, despite reports of an increase in some neighboring regions, including China.

Key Developments:

  1. Review Conference Highlights:
    • Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a meeting with representatives from states and union territories.
    • Emphasis was placed on increasing monitoring for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) to detect potential respiratory disease trends.
  2. Recent Cases:
    • India has reported a total of seven HMPV cases to date.
    • The latest cases include two children, aged seven and thirteen, from Nagpur, Maharashtra, whose blood tests confirmed HMPV.
    • Earlier cases were reported from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
  3. Reassurances from the Health Ministry:
    • Srivastava emphasized that there is no need for panic as HMPV is not a new virus and typically causes mild, self-limiting infections.
    • Respiratory illnesses tend to increase during winter, and the current data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR sentinel surveillance show no unusual rise in ILI or SARI cases.
  4. Preparedness and Preventive Measures:
    • The nation is equipped with diagnostic capabilities through ICMR-VRDL labs.
    • Public awareness campaigns have been encouraged, focusing on simple preventive measures:
      • Frequent handwashing with soap and water.
      • Avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals.
      • Covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
  5. Nature of HMPV:
    • HMPV is a respiratory virus affecting individuals across all age groups, especially in colder months.
    • Symptoms often resemble the common cold, and most cases resolve without requiring medical intervention.

While India remains vigilant, with robust monitoring and diagnostic facilities in place, the Union Health Ministry has assured the public that HMPV does not currently pose a significant health threat. Citizens are advised to follow basic hygiene practices to minimize the risk of transmission.

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