India well-prepared to handle respiratory illnesses, says Health Ministry on HMPV outbreak in China

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday assured the public that India is well-prepared to address respiratory illnesses, amidst concerns over reports of rising cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. The ministry emphasised that the situation in China is "not unusual" given the ongoing flu season.

A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) meeting was convened in Delhi under the chairmanship of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The meeting included experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Disaster Management Cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) Division, and hospitals, including AIIMS Delhi.

In its press release, the ministry clarified that the surge in respiratory illnesses in China is attributed to common seasonal pathogens such as Influenza virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and HMPV. "The situation in China is not unusual in view of the ongoing flu season," the ministry noted, adding that these viruses are already in circulation globally, including in India.