India to monitor trends; seeks WHO updates over pathogen

India's health ministry has sought regular updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) on a particular respiratory pathogen in China, after reports said there was a surge in infections of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the Asian country.

- Rhythma Kaul

NEW DELHI:

As a precautionary measure, according to a statement from the Union health ministry on Saturday, the number of laboratories under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) network testing for HMPV will be enhanced and trends involving the pathogen will be closely monitored for the entire year.

The HMPV, to be sure, is not a mysterious virus, as some reports claimed, and has been in circulation for years now-with cyclical flare-ups reported every now and then as is typical for viruses that cause the flu.

The health ministry has assured there is no need to panic. Director general of health services (DGHS), Dr Atul Goel on Saturday convened a joint monitoring group meeting of senior experts from various departments to review country's preparedness.

Experts were called in from the WHO, the Disaster Management (DM) cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), ICMR, Emergency Medical Relief