Last update:January 4, 2025, 10:13 p.m. IST
In response to the situation, the government has decided to increase the number of laboratories conducting tests for HMPV, and the ICMR will monitor the development of HMPV throughout the year.
According to the press release which takes stock of the main lessons of the meeting, the situation in China is “not unusual” given the current flu season. (PTI Photo)
India is fully prepared to manage respiratory illnesses, with surveillance mechanisms indicating no unusual surge in cases, India’s health ministry said on Saturday, amid global concerns over a potential coronavirus-like outbreak caused by Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
The ministry held a meeting of a joint monitoring group on Saturday to discuss reports of an increase in respiratory disease cases in China in recent weeks.
He clarified that the situation is being closely monitored through all available channels and requested the World Health Organization (WHO) to share updates regarding the situation.
According to the press release which summarizes the key lessons of the meeting, the situation in China is “not unusual” given the current flu season.
“Reports also suggest that the cause of the recent increase is influenza virus, RSV and HMPV – the usual pathogens expected during this period,” the statement said.
The government also clarified that all of these viruses are already circulating globally, including in India – a point highlighted by many experts in recent days to allay fears of a resurgence of a Covid-like pandemic.
According to the American Society for Microbiology, since the discovery of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in 2001, the virus has been identified globally. Van Den Hoogen referenced the discovery of a new virus in children with respiratory illnesses in the Netherlands in 2001.
RSV or respiratory syncytial virus, a pneumovirus, is the human pathogen most closely related to HMPV, with genomes exhibiting similar characteristics as well as distinct differences.
Increased testing for HMPV for next year
India already has a robust surveillance system for respiratory diseases like influenza, run by the country’s flagship medical research institution, the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP). .
“The ICMR and IDSP networks, as well as data from both institutions, do not indicate any unusually high rise in cases of influenza and severe acute respiratory illnesses,” the government said.
Additionally, hospital doctors also confirmed that there has been no increase in cases of respiratory illnesses in recent weeks, apart from expected seasonal variations.
The ICMR network also tests other respiratory viruses, including adenovirus, RSV and HMPV, and none of them show an unusual increase in samples tested. However, as a precautionary measure, the government has decided to increase the number of laboratories conducting tests for HMPV, and the ICMR will monitor the trends of HMPV throughout the year.
“Data from a recently conducted national preparedness exercise indicated that the country is well prepared to deal with any increase in respiratory diseases,” the statement added, stressing that health systems and networks surveillance teams will remain vigilant to ensure a rapid response to new health challenges.
News inde ‘No unusual increase in respiratory illnesses’: India amid concerns over HMPV spread in China, seeks updates from WHO
It is crucial to remain vigilant for respiratory disease trends, as they can vary from season to season. International collaboration and information sharing, particularly through organizations like the WHO, are essential for an effective response to any potential risks. What other strategies could we consider to better anticipate and manage epidemics in the future?
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