NEW DELHI: India has intensified its vigilance following reports of a rise in cases of respiratory illnesses in China even as it has asked the World Health Organization to share timely updates up-to-date regarding the situation in China.
According to the Health Ministry, a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group was held on Saturday under the chairmanship of DG Health Services to deliberate on the current situation in the neighboring country and the need for preparedness in India. Experts from WHO, Disaster Management Cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, National Center for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research and hospitals including AIIMS Delhi participated in the meeting. Experts agreed that the current increase in respiratory illnesses was not unusual given the current flu season.
Reports also suggest that the cause of the current surge is the flu virus, RSV and HMPV – the usual pathogens expected during the season, the health ministry said, adding that these viruses are already in circulation worldwide, including India.
“The government is monitoring the situation through all available channels and WHO has also been requested to share timely updates regarding the situation in China,” the health ministry added.
Recently, videos of Chinese hospitals struggling to care for their patients have circulated on social media, with some claiming the crisis was caused by a sudden outbreak of infection caused by the human metapneumovirus, or HMPV.
“Serious reports are circulating regarding an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. HMPV is a normal respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms. Some people may experience flu-like symptoms, especially older adults and infants. But it is not something serious or worrying,” Dr Atul Goel, director general of health services, said on Friday.
He added that during winters, respiratory infections tend to increase. “Our hospitals are prepared to cope with such an increase. We have enough beds and oxygen supplies,” Dr Goel said, adding that so far there has been no substantial increase in cases of respiratory infection in the country.
Like Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses, HMPV also spreads through droplets or aerosols produced by coughing, sneezing and close contact with infected people. Fever, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat and headache are common symptoms, but doctors say some patients can get bronchitis and pneumonia from the infection. There is no vaccine or effective medication for HMPV, and treatment is primarily aimed at managing symptoms.
