January 4th 2025.
The Health Ministry announced on Saturday that India is closely monitoring the recent outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus in China. They are utilizing all available resources and have also reached out to the World Health Organization for timely updates on the situation. In order to take precautionary measures, the number of laboratories testing for HMPV cases will be increased and the Indian Council of Medical Research will be tracking the trends of HMPV throughout the year.
A meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group was held under the leadership of the Directorate General of Health Services to discuss the situation. Experts from various organizations and hospitals, including the World Health Organization, the Disaster Management Cell, and the National Centre for Disease Control, attended the meeting. After a thorough discussion, it was concluded that the situation in China is not uncommon during the current flu season.
According to reports, the cause of the recent surge in respiratory illnesses is due to common viruses such as Influenza, RSV, and HMPV. These viruses are already circulating globally, including in India. The Health Ministry has confirmed that there has not been a significant increase in respiratory illness cases over the past few weeks, apart from the usual seasonal variation. Additionally, India has a strong surveillance system in place for Influenza Like Illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness, and data from both networks show no unusual surge.
The Indian Council of Medical Research also conducts tests for other respiratory viruses, including Adenovirus, RSV, and HMPV, and has not observed a significant increase in these pathogens. The recent preparedness drill conducted across the country has also shown that India is well-prepared to handle any rise in respiratory illnesses. The Health Ministry reassures that the health systems and surveillance networks are constantly monitoring the situation and are ready to promptly respond to any emerging health challenges.
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