Lok Sabha Question No. 4702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: HMPV Infections
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4702 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## HMPVINFECTIONS

## 4702. SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:

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

- (a) the steps taken by the Government in response to the reports on the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in various parts of the world;
- (b) the number of reported cases of HMPV infections in the country, State/UT-wise; and
- (c) whether the Government is planning to intensify awareness campaigns or other public health interventions to prevent the spread of HMPV in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c) : The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken several 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 AnnexureI.

State/UTs wise detail of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases reported in India during the period 6 th January 2025 to 24 th March 2025 is at Annexure-II.

## ANNEXURE-I

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4702 REGARDING "HMPV INFECTIONS"

-  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 HMPV situation. 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.

## ANNEXURE-II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4702 REGARDING "HMPV INFECTIONS"

| States &UTs wise reported Cases of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) Period: 6th Jan to 24 th Feb 2025. (Source IHIP/IDSP)   | States &UTs wise reported Cases of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) Period: 6th Jan to 24 th Feb 2025. (Source IHIP/IDSP)   | States &UTs wise reported Cases of Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) Period: 6th Jan to 24 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                                                                                                                      |

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