China’s HMPV Outbreak: In response to reports of a rise in respiratory illnesses in China over the past few weeks, the Union Health Ministry convened a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) today. The meeting, chaired by the Director-General of Health Services (DGHS), brought together experts from various health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Disaster Management Cell, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) Division, and major hospitals such as AIIMS, Delhi.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the situation in China, which is reportedly experiencing a surge in cases due to common seasonal viruses like Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). Experts concluded that these occurrences are not unusual for this time of year.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare emphasized that it is closely monitoring the situation in China through various channels. The WHO has also been requested to provide timely updates to ensure that the latest information is available.
India’s health surveillance systems, including those operated by ICMR and IDSP, have shown no unusual increases in cases of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) domestically. Physicians from various hospitals confirmed that the number of respiratory illness cases remains consistent with expected seasonal variations.
ICMR has reassured that its network is actively testing for other respiratory viruses, such as Adenovirus, RSV, and HMPV, and has not observed any significant rise in these pathogens. As a precautionary measure, ICMR plans to enhance the number of laboratories testing for HMPV and will monitor the virus trends throughout the year.
Data from a recently conducted nationwide preparedness drill indicated that the country’s health infrastructure is well-equipped to handle any potential rise in respiratory illnesses. The health systems and surveillance networks remain vigilant, ensuring that India is prepared to respond effectively to any emerging health challenges.
The Health Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a high level of readiness and responsiveness to safeguard public health amidst the ongoing flu season and the potential risks posed by respiratory illnesses.
