Union Health Secretary Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a virtual meeting with State and Union Territory representatives to review the status of respiratory illnesses in India, including concerns related to human metapneumovirus (HMPV) following reports of a surge in cases in China. The meeting was attended by Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary (DHR); Dr. (Prof.) Atul Goel, DGHS; Health Secretaries of various states; and experts from organizations such as NCDC, IDSP, ICMR, NIV, and State Surveillance Units under IDSP.
During the discussion, it was emphasized that data from the IDSP and ICMR sentinel surveillance do not indicate any unusual rise in cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) across the country. The Union Health Secretary assured the public that HMPV, a virus present globally since 2001, does not currently pose a public health concern in India. States were advised to strengthen and review ILI/SARI surveillance systems as a precautionary measure, particularly as respiratory illnesses typically increase during winter months. She also stated that the country is well prepared for any potential rise in such cases.
HMPV is among several respiratory viruses that primarily affect people during winter and early spring. The infection is typically mild and self-limiting, with most cases recovering without medical intervention. It was noted that India is equipped with adequate diagnostic facilities, including those available through ICMR’s VRDL laboratories.
The states were encouraged to intensify Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to raise public awareness about preventive measures. These include regular handwashing with soap and water, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, maintaining distance from symptomatic individuals, and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. These simple steps can effectively reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses like HMPV.