HMPV: Central Government Calls on States to Enhance Surveillance of Respiratory Ailments
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New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) In response to the growing incidence of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in India, the Central Government on Tuesday called upon States to enhance their surveillance efforts regarding respiratory illnesses nationwide.
To date, the nation has recorded seven cases of HMPV, originating from Karnataka (2), Gujarat (1), and Tamil Nadu (2). All affected individuals are young children, aged between 3 months and 13 years.
“States are required to strengthen and reassess the surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI),” stated Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, while leading a virtual meeting with representatives from States/UTs.
She emphasized that an uptick in respiratory illnesses is typically observed during the winter months.
“The nation is adequately prepared for any potential rise in respiratory illness cases,” asserted the Health Secretary.
“There is no reason for the public to be alarmed regarding HMPV, which has been documented globally since 2001,” added Srivastava.
This meeting was convened to assess the current landscape of respiratory illnesses in India and the status of HMPV cases, particularly following media reports indicating a surge in HMPV cases in China, alongside the public health strategies for managing such cases.
Participants included Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary (DHR); Dr (Prof) Atul Goel, DGHS; Health Secretaries and officials from States, along with experts from NCDC, IDSP, ICMR, NIV, and State Surveillance Units of IDSP.
“There is no significant increase in ILI/SARI cases across the country,” Srivastava noted, referencing data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). This assertion was further supported by findings from the ICMR sentinel surveillance.
Srivastava also encouraged States to raise public awareness regarding the prevention of virus transmission through basic measures, such as frequently washing hands with soap and water; avoiding contact with the face using unwashed hands; steering clear of close contact with symptomatic individuals; and covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
HMPV is among various respiratory viruses capable of causing infections across all age groups, especially during the winter and early spring seasons. The infection is generally mild and self-limiting, with most individuals recovering independently. It was noted that sufficient diagnostic resources are available at the ICMR-VRDL laboratories.
