The World Health Organization has been asked to provide timely updates on the situation.
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| The Ministry said it is closely monitoring the situation in China through all available channels. Representational File image. |
On January 4, 2025, the Union Health Ministry provided a statement regarding the rising cases of respiratory illnesses in China. It noted that the situation was not unusual, given the ongoing flu season. According to reports, the surge is being driven by Influenza virus, Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)—all of which are typical during this time of year.
This statement came after a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) meeting, which included top experts from the Union Health Ministry, World Health Organization (WHO), the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, the National Centre for Disease Control, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.
The Ministry assured that it is closely monitoring the situation through all available channels and has requested WHO to provide timely updates. It emphasized that these viruses are already circulating globally, including in India, and that a robust surveillance system for Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) is in place in the country. Data from these surveillance systems shows no unusual increase in ILI and SARI cases, and physicians have confirmed that there has been no surge in respiratory illness cases in recent weeks, aside from typical seasonal variations.
Additionally, the ICMR conducts testing for other respiratory viruses such as Adenovirus, RSV, and hMPV, with no unusual increase detected in the tested samples. As a precautionary measure, the ICMR plans to expand the number of laboratories testing for hMPV and will continue to monitor hMPV trends throughout the year.
The Ministry further stated that the data from a recently conducted preparedness drill indicated that India is well-prepared to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses.
Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory virus that can cause symptoms ranging from mild colds to severe respiratory distress. While anyone can be affected, young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Symptoms include coughing, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Currently, there is no specific vaccine or antiviral treatment for hMPV, and treatment focuses on symptom relief, including rest, hydration, over-the-counter medications, and supplemental oxygen in more severe cases, as explained by Dr. Anusuya Shetty, Consultant in Internal Medicine at Apollo Medical Center, Koramangala.
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