Ministry of Health Statement on HMPV Virus: Situation in China Not Abnormal

Ministry of Health Statement on HMPV Virus: Situation in China Not Abnormal

In response to the recent emergence of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, the Indian Ministry of Health has stated that India is closely monitoring the situation through all available channels. The ministry has also requested the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide timely updates and follow appropriate protocols.

As a precautionary measure, the number of laboratories testing for HMPV cases will be increased, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will monitor the trends of HMPV throughout the year, the ministry mentioned.

A joint monitoring group (JMG) meeting was held in New Delhi yesterday, chaired by the Directorate General of Health Services. Representatives from the WHO, Disaster Management (DM) cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), ICMR, Emergency Medical Response (EMR) experts, and representatives from AIIMS Delhi and other hospitals attended the meeting.

#HMPV Virus | HMPV is not a new virus and I think we shouldn’t be panicked also . Mostly it is a mild influenza like illness: Dr DK Gupta, Chairman Felix Hospital@JamwalNews18 | #hmpvvirus #HMPVoutbreak #China pic.twitter.com/IEisWfySYY

— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 3, 2025

Situation in China: HMPV Outbreak: No Cases in India, No Need for Panic, Says Central Government

After detailed discussions and based on the available information, the Ministry stated that while there has been an increase in fever cases recently, the situation in China is not considered abnormal. The current spike in cases is attributed to common seasonal pathogens such as the Influenza virus, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), and HMPV, according to the reports from the Ministry.

The government assured that it is closely monitoring the situation through all available channels and has requested the WHO to provide timely updates regarding the health situation in China.

The Ministry also stated that these viruses are already present globally, including in India. Doctors at hospitals have confirmed that there has been no significant rise in respiratory illness cases in the last few weeks. The surveillance system for Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) is already in place through the ICMR and IDSP networks, and the data does not indicate any abnormal increase in cases, the Ministry said.

The ICMR network is also testing for other respiratory viruses, including Adenovirus, RSV, HMPV, and others. So far, the samples tested have not shown any unusual increase, according to the Ministry’s statement.

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