What is India doing to control HMPV spread after 59 cases

At a time when India has reported 59 cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), the Government of India is taking steps to prevent spread of the virus. HMPV is an illness similar to Covid-19 that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat, which mostly affects children. The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been present globally since 2001. From January 6-29, 2025 a total of 59 cases have been reported from 11 States and Union Territories of India.

Children are most vulnerable to HMPV especially before they turn 5. HMPV also tends to relapse but symptoms are usually mild after the first infection. Apart from children, this virus poses a serious threat to the elderly above 65, and people with weakened immune systems. Common symptoms of HMPV include cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath (dyspnea) and rash.

The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken several specific measures to monitor and control the spread of HMPV cases and to create public awareness through campaigns regarding HMPV symptoms and prevention strategies.

Steps taken by Government of India to curb HMPV spread include:

The government has been running a Public Health Emergency Operation Centre at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) since January 6, to regularly monitor the HMPV situation. The government shares a Daily Situational Report with concerned stakeholders.

The government has advised states and Union Territories to be vigilant and send respiratory samples of hospitalised Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases to designated Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories for testing and sequencing of positive samples.

A robust surveillance system for Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) for Influenza already exists in India through both ICMR and IDSP networks.

The central government has advised stated to enhance Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and awareness among the population regarding prevention of transmission of the virus through simple measures such as washing hands often with soap and water; avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; avoid close contact with people who are exhibiting symptoms of the disease; cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing etc.

The Central Government conducted a preparedness drill across the country and it is ascertained that the health system is adequately prepared to deal with the seasonal increase in respiratory illness.

Several meetings were held at the level of Secretary (Health & Family Welfare), Director General of Health Services, Joint Monitoring Group with various stakeholders and reviewed the situation of respiratory illnesses in India and the status regarding the HMPV cases. The stakeholders include Department of Health Research, DGHS, Health Secretaries and officials of States, experts from Integrated Disease Surveillance Platform (IDSP), NCDC, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Virology (NIV) and State Surveillance Units of IDSP.

States have been advised to strengthen and review the ILI/SARI surveillance.

HMPV cases in India in January 2025

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that 59 cases of HMPV and two deaths due to co-morbidities were reported between January 6 and 29, according to the integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP). The cases include 17 from Tamil Nadu, 11 from Gujarat, and nine from Puducherry.