HMPV may be more common than reported in India; virus has circulated for years: Scientists
Live MintScientists have said that there could be more Human Metapneumovirus cases in India than officially acknowledged because the virus is not new and was never notified by the government for reporting by hospitals and the health community. With HMPV cases now reported in India, the government has directed laboratories of the Indian Council of Medical Research to start testing for the disease and submit reports to the authorities. “The country’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme data is not showing any kind of concern related to HMPV and no surge related to the respiratory disease.” HMPV attracted attention globally after China reported a surge in the respiratory illness with flu-like symptoms in the week ended 22 December. Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired a high-level meeting with officials of the states and Union Territories to review the situation in the backdrop of the HMPV outbreak in China, the ministry said on Tuesday. So, there’s no cause for concern; people just need to follow precautionary measures.” Srivastava directed the states and UTs to strengthen and review surveillance of cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness.