New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry announced that it is closely monitoring the spread of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, which has seen a rise in cases in recent weeks. In response, the Ministry confirmed that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will enhance the number of laboratories testing for HMPV and will continue to monitor the virus throughout the year.
To discuss the ongoing situation, the Ministry convened a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) meeting, chaired by Dr. Atul Goel, the Director General of Health Services. Dr. Goel reassured the public, stating there is no cause for alarm, and emphasized the importance of following general precautions.
The Joint Monitoring Group highlighted that respiratory viruses, including HMPV, are already circulating globally, with cases reported in India. The group also noted that a strong surveillance system for Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) is already in place in India through both ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Data from these networks shows no unusual surge in ILI or SARI cases.
Additionally, the ICMR network conducts testing for various respiratory viruses, including adenovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and HMPV. According to the Ministry, the testing has not revealed any significant increase in these pathogens across the samples collected.
