Lok Sabha Question No. 3636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Patients Affected by Human Metapneumovirus
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3636 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2025

## PATIENTS AFFECTED BY HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS

## 3636. DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number of patients affected by Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country, State- wise and the manner in which they are being taken care of;
- (b) whether the HMPV is fatal to human life just like Covid and if so, the details thereof along with the symptoms of HMPV infection;
- (c) the name of the countries being affected by the said virus at present and the manner in which passengers coming to India from those countries are being tested;
- (d) whether the cases of HMPV infections are increasing rapidly in the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether any expeditious steps has been taken/proposed to be taken by the Government on a war footing to find its treatment and specific cure and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY

## WELFARE

## (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a): State/UTs wise detail of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases reported in India during the period 6th January 2025 to 27th February 2025 is at Annexure-I.
- (b): The HMPV is one of the many respiratory viruses that can cause infections in people of all ages particularly during the winter and early spring months. Symptoms may include cough, runny nose, fever sore throat and shortness of breath. The virus infection is usually a mild and self-limiting condition and most cases recover on their own.
- (c): The virus has been in existence since 2001 wherein the first few cases were confirmed in Netherlands. Subsequently, circulation of HMPV has been documented in almost all parts of the world including India. Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation through all available surveillance channels.
- (d): The data from Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) does not indicate any unusual rise in Influenza Like Illness (ILI)/Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases anywhere in the country and also corroborated by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) sentinel surveillance data.
- (e): 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. The steps taken by Government of India is at Annexure-II.

*****

ANNEXURE-I

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3636 REGARDING "PATIENTS AFFECTED BY HUMANMETAPNEUMOVIRUS"

| States &UTs wise reported Cases of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) Period: 6th Jan to 27 th Feb 2025. (Source IHIP/IDSP)   | States &UTs wise reported Cases of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) Period: 6th Jan to 27 th Feb 2025. (Source IHIP/IDSP)   | States &UTs wise reported Cases of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) Period: 6th Jan to 27 th Feb 2025. (Source IHIP/IDSP)   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| S. No.                                                                                                                  | State                                                                                                                   | Cases                                                                                                                   |
| 1                                                                                                                       | Karnataka                                                                                                               | 2                                                                                                                       |
| 2                                                                                                                       | Gujarat                                                                                                                 | 11                                                                                                                      |
| 3                                                                                                                       | Maharashtra                                                                                                             | 2                                                                                                                       |
| 4                                                                                                                       | Tamilnadu                                                                                                               | 31                                                                                                                      |
| 5                                                                                                                       | Uttar Pradesh                                                                                                           | 2                                                                                                                       |
| 6                                                                                                                       | Delhi                                                                                                                   | 6                                                                                                                       |
| 7                                                                                                                       | Haryana                                                                                                                 | 1                                                                                                                       |
| 8                                                                                                                       | Rajasthan                                                                                                               | 2                                                                                                                       |
| 9                                                                                                                       | Puducherry                                                                                                              | 13                                                                                                                      |
| 10                                                                                                                      | Assam                                                                                                                   | 15                                                                                                                      |
| 11                                                                                                                      | Chhattisgarh                                                                                                            | 1                                                                                                                       |
| 12                                                                                                                      | Punjab                                                                                                                  | 4                                                                                                                       |
| Total                                                                                                                   | Total                                                                                                                   | 90                                                                                                                      |

## ANNEXURE-II

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3636 REGARDING "PATIENTS AFFECTED BY HUMANMETAPNEUMOVIRUS"

-  Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) has been activated at National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) since 6 th January, 2025 for regular monitoring of HMPVsituation. Situational Report (SitRep) is shared to the concerned stakeholders.
-  States/UTs have been advised to be vigilant and send respiratory samples of hospitalized SARI cases to designated Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) for testing and sequencing of positive samples.
-  A robust surveillance system for Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) for Influenza is already in place in India through both ICMR and IDSP networks.
-  The states have been advised 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.
-  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 (DGHS), 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 IDSP, NCDC, ICMR, National Institute of Virology and State Surveillance Units of IDSP.
-  States have been advised to strengthen and review the ILI/SARI surveillance.

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