NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry said on Saturday that India is “closely monitoring” the situation regarding a new variant of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). The ministry also mentioned that it had asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide “timely updates” on the situation in China and that “India is well prepared” to deal with a possible surge in respiratory illnesses.
The health ministry said the rise in respiratory illnesses seen in China was consistent with seasonal flu patterns. The increase in cases is reported to be primarily due to influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV), all common pathogens associated with flu season.

The ministry noted that these viruses are already circulating worldwide, including in India, and there is no evidence of any unusual increase in respiratory illnesses.
While there is no cause for alarm, the ICMR will increase the number of laboratory tests for HMPV as a precautionary measure and will continue to monitor the trends throughout the year, the statement said.
The ministry urged the public to follow standard health precautions, including avoiding close contact if experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness.
“There is no cause for alarm about the current situation”: Director General of Health Services
On Friday, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Atul Goel had said that after analyzing data on respiratory outbreaks in India in December 2024, there was no significant increase in cases and no large-scale outbreaks were reported from Indian institutions.
“News is circulating about an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. However, we have analyzed the data on respiratory outbreaks in the country (India) and there is no significant increase in the December 2024 data and no cases where this would be the case.” “There is no cause for concern about the current situation,” Goel said.
He added that hospitals were well equipped to handle the typical winter surge in respiratory infections. Goel also urged the public to follow standard precautions, such as avoiding close contact with others if symptoms occur.
Meanwhile, China downplayed the severity of the outbreak, saying respiratory infections this year were less serious than last and assuring that it remained safe for foreign travelers.
What is HMPV?
Reports from China have raised concerns about an increase in respiratory infections attributed to HMPV. While some social media posts point to overwhelmed hospitals, Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) have not declared a state of emergency. This increase in infections comes during the winter season, a time when respiratory diseases naturally peak.
HMPV, discovered in 2001, belongs to the Pneumoviridae family alongside the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It causes symptoms similar to a cold or flu, such as cough, runny nose, and fever. It can be particularly serious in children under five, older adults and people with weakened immune systems or chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma.
HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets, close contact and contaminated surfaces. There is no specific treatment or vaccination, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Preventive measures such as washing hands, wearing masks and avoiding contact when sick are recommended.