MADURAI: Union Health Secretary Ms.Punya Salila Srivastava had chaired a meeting with States and Union Territories in a virtual mode yesterday-January 6th 2025- from New Delhi to review the present situation of respiratory illnesses in India in the backdrop of fears about HMPV (Human metapneumovirus) cases and the public health measures that need to be taken immediately.
“There is no surge in respiratory illness in the country right now. There is a sturdy surveillance to detect such HMPV cases. States have been advised to strengthen ILI/SARI surveillance. This review meeting was attended by Dr.Rajiv Bhal, Secretary-DHR and Dr.Prof.Atul Goel, DGHS along with secretaries and officials of States besides experts from various national level public health institutions like ICMR,” a press release issued through Press Information Bureau from New Delhi has informed today.
After this meeting, it was informed that there is no unusual rise in ILI/SARI cases anywhere in the country and this was also corroborated by the ICMR sentinel surveillance data. “The Union Health Secretary had emphasized that there is no cause of concern for the public from HMPV which is present globally since the year 2001. Increase in respiratory illnesses is usually seen during the winter months. HMPV is one of the many respiratory viruses that can cause infections during the winter, the infection is mild and self-limiting. Adequate diagnostic facilities are available with the ICMR-VRDL labs,” the press release received from PIB has said.
States have been advised to create public awareness regarding prevention and transmission of HMPV virus with simple measures such as washing hands often with soap and water, avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who have symptoms, cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing etc.
