New Delhi: The Centre has directed states and Union Territories to remain vigilant in view of the rising cases of the respiratory disease Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in India. In a virtual meeting held on Tuesday, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava appealed to states to monitor and review influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).
A total of seven cases of HMPV have been reported in the country so far, including two from Karnataka, one from Gujarat and two from Tamil Nadu. All these cases have been found in children ranging from 3 months to 13 years. “India is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality in cases of respiratory illnesses,” Srivastava said. At the moment, the public does not need to panic about HMPV. ”
The Health Secretary also emphasized that respiratory diseases usually increase in winter months and states need to take special precautions for this. He advised to spread awareness among the people for the prevention of the virus. Under this, frequent hand washing, covering the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing and avoiding direct contact with the infected person has been advised.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Health Department, experts from NCDC, IDSP, ICMR and State Surveillance Units. According to IDSP data, no abnormal increase in ILI or SARI cases has been observed in the country at present.
