HMPV Virus: Union Health Ministry Convenes Joint Monitoring Group Meeting

Amid reports of rising cases of respiratory illnesses in China in the past few weeks, a Joint Monitoring Group meeting was held under the Chairmanship of DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday.

"The health systems and surveillance networks remain vigilant, ensuring the country is ready to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges," the ministry said in a press release.

Experts from the World Health Organization, the Disaster Management Cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, National Centre for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research, Emergency Medical Relief Division, and hospitals, including AIIMS, Delhi participated in the meeting.

It was agreed that the situation in China is not unusual in view of the ongoing flu season. The reports also suggest that the cause of the present surge was Influenza virus, RSV and HMPV, which are the usual pathogens that are expected during the season.

The government is keeping a close watch over the situation through all available channels and WHO has also been requested to share timely updates regarding the situation in China, the press release said.

These viruses are already in circulation globally, including India, and a robust surveillance system for Influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness for influenza is already in place in India through both ICMR and IDSP networks. The data from both indicates no unusual surge in ILI and SARI cases, it said.

Physicians from hospitals also confirmed that there is no surge in respiratory illness cases in the last few weeks, other than the expected seasonal variation, the ministry said.

ICMR network also tests for other respiratory viruses such as Adenovirus, RSV, HMPV etc. These pathogens also do not show an unusual increase in the tested samples, the release said. "As a precautionary measure, the number of laboratories testing for HMPV will be enhanced by ICMR, and ICMR will be monitoring trends of HMPV for the entire year."

Data from the recently conducted preparedness drill across the country indicated that the country is well prepared to deal with any increase in respiratory illnesses, the release said.