NEW DELHI: India has slightly increased its vigilance following reports of rising cases of respiratory diseases in china even as it has asked the World Health Organization to share timely updates on the situation in China.
According to the Health Ministry, a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group was held on Saturday under the chairmanship of the Directorate General of Health Services to deliberate on the current situation in the neighboring country and the need for preparedness in India. Experts from WHO, Disaster Management cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, National Center for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research and hospitals including AIIMS, Delhi, participated in the meeting. Experts agreed that the current increase in respiratory illnesses is not unusual in light of the current flu season.
Reports also suggest that the cause of the current surge is the influenza virus, RSV and HMPV, the common pathogens expected during the season, the Ministry of Health said, adding that these viruses are already in circulation globally, including India.
“The government is monitoring the situation through all available channels and WHO has also been asked to share timely updates on the situation in China,” the Health Ministry added.
Recently, videos of hospitals in China struggling to care for patients circulated on social media, with some claiming the crisis was caused by a sudden outbreak of infection caused by Human Metapneumovirus, or HMPV.
“News are circulating about an outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, which is serious. HMPV is a normal respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms. Some people may have flu-like symptoms, especially the elderly and babies. But this is not something serious or worrying,” Dr. Atul Goel, director general of health services, said on Friday.
He added that during winters respiratory infections tend to increase. “Our hospitals are prepared to deal with such a surge. We have enough beds and oxygen supplies,” Dr Goel said, adding that there is no substantial rise in respiratory infection cases in the country so far.
Like Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses, HMPV also spreads through droplets or aerosols produced by coughing, sneezing, and close contact with infected people. Fever, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat and headache are common symptoms, but doctors say some patients may contract bronchitis and pneumonia due to the infection. There is no effective vaccine or medication against HMPV and treatment is primarily aimed at controlling symptoms.