HMPV

January 8, 2025 5:16 PM

Winter surge in respiratory illness in China and elsewhere not unusual, WHO says

Rising cases of common respiratory illnesses in China and elsewhere around the Northern Hemisphere are within the range expected for winter, with no unusual outbreaks reported, the World Health Organization said. Reports of a surge of cases in China of human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a common respiratory infection, have drawn headlines worldwide, with reports of overwhelmed hospitals recalling the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic just over five years ago. However, the WHO said in a statement o...

January 7, 2025 10:28 AM

Tamil Nadu reports two cases of Human Metapneumovirus; no cause for alarm, says government

Tamil Nadu has confirmed two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), one in Chennai and the other in Salem, as per the state's Department of Health and Family Welfare. The Additional Chief Secretary of the department stated on Monday that both affected individuals are in stable condition and under observation. In a press release issued by the Tamil Nadu government's Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), it was clarified that Human Metapneumovirus is not a new virus. First identi...

January 6, 2025 10:53 PM

India prepared to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges: J.P. Nadda on HMPV

India’s surveillance network remains vigilant and the country is ready to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said on Monday, as the number of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in the country reached five in a single day. Five children tested positive for the virus in Karnataka (2), Gujarat (1), and Tamil Nadu (2). The affected children are recovering well, while one has been discharged, the health authorities said. In a video message, Nadda ...

January 5, 2025 10:45 AM

Union Health Ministry reviews China’s respiratory illness surge, assures robust preparedness in India

Amid reports of a surge in respiratory illnesses in China, the Union Health Ministry convened a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) meeting under the chairmanship of the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in New Delhi on Saturday. The meeting brought together experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and prominent institutions, including A...