Health Ministry's Joint Monitoring Group finds no unusual surge in respiratory illness amid China reports
ICMR will increase the number of laboratories testing for HMPV and track its trends for the whole year.
Summary
The Union Health Ministry's Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), chaired by the Director General of Health Services, met in New Delhi on 4 January 2025 in view of reports of rising respiratory illnesses in China. The Joint Monitoring Group concluded that the situation in China is not unusual for the flu season, with Influenza, RSV and HMPV as the likely causes, and that ICMR and IDSP data show no unusual surge in ILI and SARI cases in India. As a precaution, ICMR will increase the number of laboratories testing for HMPV and monitor HMPV trends throughout the year, and WHO has been asked to share timely updates.
Key facts
- Date
- 4 January 2025
- Meeting
- Joint Monitoring Group, chaired by DGHS
- Participants
- WHO, DM Cell, IDSP, NCDC, ICMR, EMR Division, hospitals incl. AIIMS Delhi
- Assessment
- China situation not unusual for flu season; Influenza, RSV, HMPV usual pathogens
- India data
- No unusual surge in ILI/SARI (ICMR and IDSP)
- Action
- ICMR to add HMPV testing labs and monitor HMPV trends all year; WHO asked for updates
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Who chaired the Joint Monitoring Group meeting held by the Union Health Ministry on 4 January 2025 on respiratory illnesses in China?
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Correct answer: C — Director General of Health Services
PIB (Health): the JMG meeting was held under the Chairmanship of DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
What precautionary step regarding HMPV was agreed at the Joint Monitoring Group meeting of 4 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — ICMR to increase HMPV testing laboratories and monitor trends for the year
PIB (Health): as a precaution, the number of laboratories testing for HMPV will be enhanced by ICMR, which will monitor HMPV trends for the entire year.
Consider the following conclusions of the Health Ministry's Joint Monitoring Group on 4 January 2025: 1. The situation in China is not unusual in view of the flu season. 2. Influenza, RSV and HMPV are among the usual seasonal pathogens behind the surge. 3. ICMR and IDSP data show an unusual surge in SARI cases in India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Health): statements 1 and 2 were agreed; data from ICMR and IDSP indicate no unusual surge in ILI and SARI cases.