Union Government Advises States on HMPV Prevention Measures

• Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava advises States to strengthen awareness of preventive measures against Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).

• The meeting reviewed the prevalence of respiratory illnesses and HMPV cases, following media reports of a surge in China.

• Senior Health Ministry officials confirmed no unusual rise in respiratory illnesses.

• The Health Secretary stated there was no cause of concern over HMPV, which has been present globally since 2001.

• The Ministry reiterated that prevalence of respiratory illnesses is usually high during winter.

• Adequate diagnostic facilities are available with the ICMR-VRDL laboratories.

• States advised to enhance pub