New Delhi:

Amid the rising Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) scare, the top medical body – the Indian Council of Medical Research or ICMR – on Monday alerted that the virus is already in “circulation” globally, including India. However, it noted that India is well-equipped to handle any potential increase in respiratory illnesses.

The ICMR’s statement came as Bengaluru reported two cases of HMPV – a 3-month-old baby who has been discharged and an 8-month-old who is recovering. The health department ruled out exposure from other regions or countries, saying that the infected infants and their families have no recent travel history.

Both cases were identified through routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens, it said.

“It is emphasized that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries. Furthermore, based on current data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network, there has been no unusual surge in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country,” the ICMR said.

It also noted that while the Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels, ICMR will continue to track trends in HMPV circulation throughout the year.

Earlier, the Centre had announced that it is monitoring the HMPV and other respiratory viruses following the surge of cases in China. A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) was held by representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and other health organisations, to evaluate the situation.

The Karnataka and Maharashtra governments have issued guidelines for citizens. Kerala Health Minister Veena George also advised the elderly and pregnant women to wear masks, adding there is no need to panic as of now.

What is HMPV?

HMPV, first discovered in 2001, is a part of the Pneumoviridae family along with the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The symptoms commonly associated with the virus include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. HMPV can occasionally trigger pneumonia or chronic respiratory conditions.

It can spread from an infected individual to others through coughing, sneezing or personal contact.

Young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe illness due to HMPV.

New Delhi:

The situation in China is not unusual in view of the ongoing flu season, a joint monitoring group has said amid reports of a surge in cases of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the neighbouring country.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Delhi today, the government said in a statement.

Experts from the World Health Organisation, Disaster Management Cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Emergency Medical Relief Division, and hospitals, including AIIMS-Delhi participated.

The joint monitoring group agreed that the cause of the present surge in China is the influenza virus, RSV and HMPV – the usual pathogens that are expected during the season, the government said in the statement.

It said the government is keeping a close watch over the situation through all available channels and the WHO has been asked to share timely updates regarding the situation in China.

A robust surveillance system for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) for influenza is already in place in India through both the ICMR and IDSP networks, and data from both indicates no unusual surge in ILI and SARI cases, the government said.

Physicians from hospitals confirmed there is no surge in respiratory illness cases in the last few weeks other than the expected seasonal variation.

The ICMR network also tests for other respiratory viruses such as adenovirus, RSV, HMPV, etc and these pathogens do not show an unusual increase in the tested samples, the government said.

As a precautionary measure, the ICMR will enhance the number of laboratories testing for HMPV, and will monitor trends of HMPV for the entire year.

Data from the recently conducted preparedness drill across the country indicated that India is well-prepared to deal with any increase in respiratory illnesses, the government said.

A top official of the country’s repository of technical knowledge on medical issues yesterday asked people not to panic over the spread of the HMPV in China. Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) official Dr Atul Goel suggested taking general precautions against all respiratory infections.

“… Otherwise, there is nothing to be alarmed about the present situation,” Dr Goel said.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for HMPV, so prevention is key to controlling its spread, doctors have said.

“There has been news doing the rounds about a Metapneumovirus outbreak in China. Let me be very clear on that count. Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus which causes common cold, and in the very old and the very young it could cause flu-like symptoms,” Dr Goel told reporters Friday.

“We have analysed data of the respiratory outbreaks within the country. There is no substantial increase in December 2024 data and no cases which have been reported in large numbers from any of our institutions,” he said.

Dr Goel said there is anyway an increased outbreak of respiratory virus infections in winter, for which hospitals are usually prepared with supplies and beds.