No cause of concern for the public from HMPV: Union Health Secretary

The Union Health Secretary, Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, chaired a virtual meeting with state and union territory officials to review the status of respiratory illnesses, particularly the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), amid concerns of a reported surge in cases in China. The meeting included officials from NCDC, IDSP, ICMR, and NIV, along with state surveillance units.

Key Takeaways from the Meeting:

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  1. No Unusual Surge in Respiratory Illnesses:
    • Data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR sentinel surveillance confirm no significant rise in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) cases across India.
    • Experts emphasized that respiratory illnesses often see an uptick during winter months but remain within expected trends.
  2. Public Reassurance:
    • The Union Health Secretary reiterated that HMPV, first identified in 2001, is not a cause for concern in India.
    • Most HMPV infections are mild and self-limiting, with patients typically recovering without medical intervention.
  3. Preparedness Measures:
    • States were instructed to strengthen ILI/SARI surveillance systems.
    • Diagnostic facilities for HMPV are available at ICMR-VRDL laboratories nationwide.
  4. Preventive Measures and Awareness:
    • States were advised to launch Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to educate the public on preventive practices, such as:
      • Frequent handwashing with soap.
      • Avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands.
      • Keeping distance from symptomatic individuals.
      • Covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
  5. Government’s Assurance:
    • The country is well-equipped to handle any potential surge in respiratory illnesses.
    • The government emphasized the need for calm and vigilance among the public.

As winter progresses, authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure public health and safety. Simple preventive measures remain the cornerstone of managing respiratory illnesses like HMPV.