India on High Alert: Guidelines Issued to Combat HMPV Amid Rising Respiratory Illnesses

India on High Alert: Guidelines Issued to Combat HMPV Amid Rising Respiratory Illnesses

The Indian government has taken proactive steps to address the growing threat of Highly Pathogenic Murine Pulmonary Virus (HMPV) and other respiratory ailments by issuing guidelines to hospitals in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.

The guidelines, issued following a meeting led by Director General of Health Services, Dr Vandana Bagga, instruct hospitals to closely monitor and report cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal.

The measures aim to strengthen the healthcare system's response to potential outbreaks and alleviate pressure on hospitals. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate stocks of essential medicines, including paracetamol, antihistamines, bronchodilators, cough syrups, and oxygen supplies, to manage mild cases.

Bharadwaj, a top government official, emphasized the need for prompt action and urged citizens to report any concerns over the phone. "No need to delay action, bring issues to me immediately," he said.

The decision comes amid rising reports of respiratory illnesses in China, which has prompted a global health alert. However, as of January 2, 2025, data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and World Health Organization (WHO) show no significant surge in respiratory cases in India.

The guidelines are set to come into effect immediately, with health officials urged to closely monitor patient developments and report any emerging cases to prevent potential outbreaks.