The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said that it is closely monitoring the rising cases of respiratory illness in China and that there has been no surge in respiratory illness cases in India in the last few weeks other than the expected seasonal variation.

A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) meeting was held under the Chairmanship of DGHS, MoHFW in New Delhi on 4 January 2025 which was participated by experts from the World Health organization (WHO), the Disaster Management (DM) Cell, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) Division, and hospitals, including AIIMS, Delhi.

During the meeting, it was agreed that the situation in China is not unusual in view of the ongoing flu season. The cause of the present surge is Influenza virus, RSV and HMPV – the usual pathogens that are already in circulation globally including India, and expected during the season. Nonetheless, the Health Ministry has requested the WHO to share timely updates regarding the situation in China.

The Ministry also said that India is well prepared to tackle any increase in respiratory illnesses and highlighted that a robust surveillance system for Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) for Influenza is already in place in India through both ICMR and IDSP networks and the data from both indicates no unusual surge in ILI & SARI cases. However, as a precautionary measure, said that as a precautionary measure, the number of laboratories testing for HMPV will be enhanced by ICMR, and ICMR will be monitoring trends of HMPV for the entire year.

The health systems and surveillance networks remain vigilant, ensuring the country is ready to respond promptly to any emerging health challenges, it affirmed.