The ministry said it is closely monitoring the situation in China through all available channels. Representative file image. | Photo credit: Nagara Gopal

“The situation in China is not unusual given the ongoing flu season. The reports also suggest that the cause of the current surge is the influenza virus – Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – which is expected during the season,” the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday ( January 4, 2025) after a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) following reports of rising cases of respiratory diseases in China.

The meeting was attended by top experts from the Union Health Ministry, World Health Organization (WHO), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, National Center for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi .

While the ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation through all available channels, it added that it had also asked the WHO to provide timely updates on the situation in China.

“These viruses are already circulating worldwide, including in India. India already has a robust surveillance system for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) for influenza, and data from both indicate no unusual increase in ILI and SARI cases. “Doctors at hospitals have also confirmed that there has been no increase in cases of respiratory diseases in recent weeks, apart from the expected seasonal fluctuations,” said a press release from the ministry.

It added that the ICMR network is also testing for other respiratory viruses such as adenovirus, RSV, HMPV etc and these pathogens also did not show any unusual increase in the tested samples. As a precautionary measure, the number of laboratory tests for HMPV will be increased by the ICMR and the ICMR will monitor the HMPV trends throughout the year.

“Data from the recent preparedness exercise conducted across the country showed that India is well prepared to deal with a surge in respiratory diseases,” the ministry said.

“Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory virus that can cause infections ranging from mild colds to severe shortness of breath. Although it can affect anyone, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk,” said Anusuya Shetty, consultant in internal medicine at Apollo Medical Center, Koramangala.

Also Read: Kerala on alert as influenza and HMPV surge in China

Dr. Shetty added that symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat and shortness of breath.

“There is currently no specific vaccine or antiviral treatment for hMPV. “Treatment focuses primarily on symptom relief, such as rest, hydration, over-the-counter medications and, in severe cases, supplemental oxygen,” she said.