Data available from the Union Health Ministry do not indicate an unusual spike in influenza-like infections (ILI) or severe acute respiratory illnesses (SARI), mostly associated with the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). In the meantime, the Ministry has asked the states to step up surveillance.
It was stated that adequate diagnostic facilities are available at the ICMR-VRDL laboratories.
The states have been advised to enhance their IEC (information, education, and communication) strategy and increase the population’s awareness of the prevention of transmission of the virus.
Precautions to be followed or communicated to prevent the spread of the virus include measures such as washing hands often with soap and water; avoiding touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; avoiding close contact with people who are exhibiting symptoms of the disease; covering their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, etc.
A meeting with the health departments of various state governments was held late Monday evening, chaired by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava.
The review meeting was also attended by Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary (DHR); Dr (Prof) Atul Goel, DGHS, apart from Health Secretaries and officials of States, experts from NCDC, IDSP, ICMR, NIV and State Surveillance Units of IDSP.
During the meeting, the Union Health Ministry reiterated that the IDSP data does not indicate any unusual rise in ILI/SARI cases anywhere in the country. The ICMR sentinel surveillance data also corroborate this.
The Union Health Secretary emphasised that “there is no cause of concern for the public from HMPV which has been present globally since 2001”, a Ministry statement said.
An increase in respiratory illnesses is usually seen during the winter months, which indicates the seasonality of the virus.
The HMPV is one of the many respiratory viruses that can cause infections in people of all ages, particularly during the winter and early spring months. The virus infection is usually a mild and self-limiting condition. In most cases, patients recover on their own.