Nothing to be alarmed, says govt on outbreak of HMPV in China

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is closely monitoring seasonal respiratory and influenza cases in India, as concerns mount over the recent reports of an outbreak of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China.

As global health authorities track the rise in respiratory infections, the NCDC has assured that there is currently no substantial threat to public health in India.

A senior official from the NCDC stated on Friday that the Centre remains in contact with international agencies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), to stay updated on the situation. "We will continue to monitor the situation closely and validate information and developments accordingly," the official said.

The Human Metapneumovirus, a respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms, has recently drawn attention after reports surfaced of an uptick in cases in China, particularly in the winter months.

The virus is similar to other respiratory infections that cause the common cold and is known to affect both the very young and elderly individuals, who are more vulnerable to severe symptoms.

Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), provided clarity on the situation, stating that HMPV is no different from other common respiratory viruses. “It could cause flu-like symptoms in the young and very old, but there is no reason to be alarmed. We have analysed the data from the country’s respiratory outbreaks, and the data from December 2024 shows no significant increase in cases, and no widespread cases have been reported from any of our hospitals,” he said.