HMPV Cases: Govt Says 'No Cause Of Concern' After Review Meeting, Stresses Measures To Prevent Transmission

HMPV Virus Cases In India: The Health Ministry convened a meeting to assess respiratory illnesses, including HMPV cases. It cited data from IDSP and ICMR indicating no unusual increase in India.

Representational Image | The Health Ministry advised strengthening surveillance and promoting preventive measures after ruling out any concerns over respiratory illnesses, including HMPV cases.

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HMPV Virus Cases In India: Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a virtual meeting with States and Union Territories on Monday to assess the current status of respiratory illnesses in India, including Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, in response to media reports of a surge in China.

The meeting also reviewed public health measures for the management of such illnesses. Senior officials, including Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary (Department of Health Research); Dr Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services; and experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Virology (NIV), and state surveillance units of IDSP, were present, as per a statement by the Health Ministry.  

During the meeting, it was highlighted that IDSP data does not indicate any unusual increase in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases across the country. This was corroborated by data from ICMR’s sentinel surveillance system.  

Punya Srivastava emphasised that there is no cause for public concern regarding HMPV, a virus globally present since 2001. She advised states to strengthen and review ILI/SARI surveillance systems. Noting the seasonal rise in respiratory illnesses during winter months, she assured that the country is well-prepared to handle any potential increase in such cases.  

HMPV Virus Cases In India: Health Ministry Stresses Preventive Measures

The Health Ministry informed that HMPV is one of several respiratory viruses affecting people of all ages, particularly during winter and early spring. The infection is generally "mild, self-limiting", and most cases recover without medical intervention. Adequate diagnostic facilities for HMPV are available at ICMR-VRDL laboratories across the country.  

States were advised to enhance public awareness about preventive measures, including:  

• Regular handwashing with soap and water.  
• Avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands.  
• Maintaining distance from symptomatic individuals.  
• Covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.  

The ministry also stressed the importance of strengthening Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities to mitigate the transmission of the virus.