Centre Urges States to Strengthen Surveillance of Respiratory Illnesses Amid HMPV Concerns

New Delhi: Amid rising cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in India, the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday directed states to enhance surveillance of respiratory illnesses across the country. So far, seven HMPV cases have been reported in India—two each from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and one from Gujarat. All affected patients are children aged between 3 months and 13 years.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, while chairing a virtual meeting with state and UT health officials, emphasized the need to bolster influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) surveillance. “Respiratory illnesses tend to increase during winter months, and states must remain vigilant,” she said.

Reassuring the public, Srivastava stated that HMPV has been globally present since 2001 and does not pose a significant public health concern. “The country is well-prepared to handle any potential surge in respiratory illness cases,” she added.

The meeting reviewed India’s current respiratory illness situation, the status of HMPV cases, and public health measures in light of recent media reports of rising HMPV cases in China. It was attended by officials from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), along with state health officials.

Srivastava highlighted to IANS that data from IDSP and ICMR sentinel surveillance showed no unusual rise in ILI or SARI cases across the country. She urged states to enhance public awareness about preventing respiratory virus transmission with simple measures, such as frequent handwashing, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, maintaining distance from symptomatic individuals, and covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.

HMPV is a respiratory virus that affects people of all ages, with infections typically occurring during winter and early spring. In most cases, the infection is mild and self-limiting, with patients recovering without medical intervention. The Health Ministry assured that adequate diagnostic facilities for HMPV are available in ICMR-VRDL laboratories.

The Centre reiterated its commitment to maintaining preparedness and urged states to remain proactive in monitoring and managing respiratory illnesses to safeguard public health effectively.