Sat Jan 04 21:53:19 UTC 2025: ## India Monitors China’s Respiratory Illness Surge, Finds No Cause for Alarm

**NEW DELHI, January 4, 2025** – The Indian Union Health Ministry announced today that it is closely monitoring the recent surge in respiratory illnesses in China, but has found no unusual increase in similar cases within India. A meeting of the joint monitoring group concluded that the Chinese outbreak is primarily due to seasonal influenza viruses, including Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which are already circulating globally, including in India.

The Ministry stated that India’s robust surveillance system for Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) shows no unusual surge in cases. Data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirms this, showing no unusual increase in these viruses. As a precaution, ICMR will increase the number of laboratories testing for HMPV and monitor trends throughout the year. A recent national preparedness drill also demonstrated India’s readiness to handle any increase in respiratory illnesses.

The Ministry is collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) for timely updates on the situation in China. Experts from various organizations, including the WHO, ICMR, and AIIMS Delhi, participated in the review meeting.

While acknowledging the potential severity of hMPV, particularly for vulnerable groups like young children and the elderly, Dr. Anusuya Shetty of Apollo Medical Center highlighted that treatment focuses on managing symptoms. Currently, there is no specific vaccine or antiviral treatment for hMPV.

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