Delhi&rsquo;s health authorities have issued an advisory to address potential health issues arising from the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other respiratory illnesses. The advisory follows reports of increasing respiratory infections in neighbouring countries, particularly China.
On Sunday, Dr Vandana Bagga, Director General of Health Services, held a meeting with chief district medical officers and the state programme officer of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) to assess Delhi&rsquo;s readiness to manage respiratory illnesses.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-union-health-ministry-holds-meeting-amid-rising-cases-respiratory-illnesses-in-china-8592258">'No unusual surge': Indian health ministry on rise in HMPV, respiratory illnesses in China</a>
Here are the key points from the advisory: 
Hospitals have been directed to report all cases of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/england-see-a-sharp-rise-in-flu-cases-over-5000-patients-being-treated-in-last-week-8588620">Influenza</a>-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) through the IHIP Portal without delay.&nbsp;
Strict isolation measures and universal precautions have been made compulsory for suspected cases. Additionally, hospitals must maintain detailed records of SARI cases and laboratory-confirmed influenza cases for accurate monitoring.
Healthcare facilities have also been instructed to ensure the availability of essential medicines such as paracetamol, antihistamines, bronchodilators, and cough syrups for treating mild cases. Oxygen supplies are to be readily accessible for severe cases.
<h2>Reports of a rise in respiratory illnesses in China</h2>
This advisory comes amid reports of a rise in respiratory illnesses in China. However, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/what-is-hmpv-and-what-are-its-symptoms">World Health Organisation</a> (WHO) have confirmed that, as of 2 January 2025, there has been no significant surge in respiratory infections in India.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-hmpv-scare-beijing-confirms-infection-surge-calls-it-annual-winter-occurrence-8589673">China HMPV scare: Beijing confirms infection surge, calls it 'annual winter occurrence'</a>
In response to the situation in China, the Union Health Ministry convened a Joint Monitoring Group meeting on Saturday, chaired by the Directorate General of Health Services. According to the health ministry, the increase in respiratory illnesses in China is consistent with the seasonal flu pattern. Common winter pathogens, such as the Influenza virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), have been identified as the main contributors.
<h2>What is HMPV?</h2>
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that can infect people of all ages. Children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
The virus was first identified in 2001 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
(With inputs from agencies)

India news: Hospitals have been directed to report cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) through the IHIP Portal without delay.

Delhi’s health authorities have issued an advisory to address potential health issues arising from the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and other respiratory illnesses. The advisory follows reports of increasing respiratory infections in neighbouring countries, particularly China. On Sunday, Dr Vandana Bagga, Director General of Health Services, held a meeting with chief district medical officers and the state programme officer of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) to assess Delhi’s readiness to manage respiratory illnesses. Also read: 'No unusual surge': Indian health ministry on rise in HMPV, respiratory illnesses in China Here are the key points from the advisory: Hospitals have been directed to report all cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) through the IHIP Portal without delay. Strict isolation measures and universal precautions have been made compulsory for suspected cases. Additionally, hospitals must maintain detailed records of SARI cases and laboratory-confirmed influenza cases for accurate monitoring. Healthcare facilities have also been instructed to ensure the availability of essential medicines such as paracetamol, antihistamines, bronchodilators, and cough syrups for treating mild cases. Oxygen supplies are to be readily accessible for severe cases. Reports of a rise in respiratory illnesses in China This advisory comes amid reports of a rise in respiratory illnesses in China. However, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have confirmed that, as of 2 January 2025, there has been no significant surge in respiratory infections in India. Also read: China HMPV scare: Beijing confirms infection surge, calls it 'annual winter occurrence' In response to the situation in China, the Union Health Ministry convened a Joint Monitoring Group meeting on Saturday, chaired by the Directorate General of Health Services. According to the health ministry, the increase in respiratory illnesses in China is consistent with the seasonal flu pattern. Common winter pathogens, such as the Influenza virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), have been identified as the main contributors. What is HMPV? Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that can infect people of all ages. Children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable. The virus was first identified in 2001 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (With inputs from agencies)

Delhi issues health advisory amid rising respiratory illness cases in China

Over five years after the Covid pandemic originated in China and led to worldwide health chaos, the country is now facing another virus outbreak.&nbsp;
According to reports and social media posts, China is dealing with an outbreak of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
As per social media posts, a state of emergency has been declared in China as not just HMPV, but other viruses including Influenza A are rapidly spreading.
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about HMPV:
<h2>What is HMPV?</h2>
According to the Cleveland Clinic, HMPV usually causes symptoms similar to a cold. Most of the cases of HMPV are mild, but young children, adults over the age of 65 and people with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk for serious illness.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-facing-hmpv-outbreak-symptoms-and-precautions-8587512" rel="dofollow">HMPV outbreak in China? Amid viral videos and govt ambiguity, know symptoms and precautions</a>
Cleveland Clinic says that HMPV often causes upper respiratory infections, but it can sometimes lower respiratory infections like pneumonia, and asthma flare-ups or make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse.
The infections are more common during winter and early spring.
<h2>What causes HMPV?</h2>
"A virus &mdash; a small germ that uses your cells to make more copies of itself &mdash; causes HMPV. It&rsquo;s part of the same group of viruses that cause RSV, measles and mumps," Cleveland Clinic says.&nbsp;
<h2>What are the symptoms?</h2>
The symptoms include- cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, and rash.
<h2>How does the virus spread?</h2>
HMPV transmits through direct contact with someone who has it or from touching things contaminated with the virus.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-dealing-with-new-epidemic-five-years-after-covid-19-claim-reports-8586676" rel="dofollow">China dealing with new epidemic five years after COVID-19, claim reports</a>
The virus can spread by coughing and sneezing; shaking hands, hugging or kissing; and touching surfaces or objects like phones, door handles, keyboards or toys.
<h2>What precautions should be observed?</h2>
These precautions can be observed to avoid getting infected:
&gt; Washing hands often with soap or using a hand sanitiser.
&gt; Covering nose or mouth while sneezing or coughing.
&gt; Wearing a mask when you're sick and cannot avoid being around others.
&gt; Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth unless your hands are clean.
&gt; Avoid sharing food or eating in same utensils.
<h2>How can HMPV be treated?</h2>
Doctors treat HMPV with the following methods- oxygen therapy, IV fluids, and corticosteroids.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

HMPV, which stands for human metapneumovirus, is more common during winter and early spring. Though most cases are mild, certain categories of people are at a higher risk for serious illness. 

Over five years after the Covid pandemic originated in China and led to worldwide health chaos, the country is now facing another virus outbreak. According to reports and social media posts, China is dealing with an outbreak of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). As per social media posts, a state of emergency has been declared in China as not just HMPV, but other viruses including Influenza A are rapidly spreading. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about HMPV: What is HMPV? According to the Cleveland Clinic, HMPV usually causes symptoms similar to a cold. Most of the cases of HMPV are mild, but young children, adults over the age of 65 and people with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk for serious illness. Also read | HMPV outbreak in China? Amid viral videos and govt ambiguity, know symptoms and precautions Cleveland Clinic says that HMPV often causes upper respiratory infections, but it can sometimes lower respiratory infections like pneumonia, and asthma flare-ups or make chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse. The infections are more common during winter and early spring. What causes HMPV? "A virus — a small germ that uses your cells to make more copies of itself — causes HMPV. It’s part of the same group of viruses that cause RSV, measles and mumps," Cleveland Clinic says. What are the symptoms? The symptoms include- cough, fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, and rash. How does the virus spread? HMPV transmits through direct contact with someone who has it or from touching things contaminated with the virus. Also read | China dealing with new epidemic five years after COVID-19, claim reports The virus can spread by coughing and sneezing; shaking hands, hugging or kissing; and touching surfaces or objects like phones, door handles, keyboards or toys. What precautions should be observed? These precautions can be observed to avoid getting infected: > Washing hands often with soap or using a hand sanitiser. > Covering nose or mouth while sneezing or coughing. > Wearing a mask when you're sick and cannot avoid being around others. > Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth unless your hands are clean. > Avoid sharing food or eating in same utensils. How can HMPV be treated? Doctors treat HMPV with the following methods- oxygen therapy, IV fluids, and corticosteroids. (With inputs from agencies)

China faces new virus outbreak- What is HMPV? A few FAQs answered

China is facing another health concern as cases of respiratory infections have surged sharply in recent days. Officials suggest that Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) could be the likely cause. Despite widespread social media posts portraying the situation as a crisis, neither Chinese authorities nor the World Health Organization (WHO) have officially declared a state of emergency.

HMPV: What you should know?