New Delhi: Fifty-nine cases of HMPV and two deaths due to co-morbidities have been reported from January 6-29, according to the integrated disease surveillance program (IDSP), the Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

The 59 cases include 17 from Tamil Nadu, 11 from Gujarat and nine from Puducherry, Jadhav said in a written response.

The virus mainly affects young children, the elderly and immune -compromised individuals, leading to respiratory diseases ranging from mild cold -like symptoms to severe pneumonia.

The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has existed globally since 2001 and the data does not indicate any unusual increase in flu -like disease (ILI) or severe acute respiratory disease (Sari) anywhere in the country, said Prime Minister for Health Sea.

The Union Health Ministry has taken several specific measures to monitor and control the spread of HMPV cases and to create public awareness through campaigns on HMPV symptoms and preventive strategies, Jadhav said.

That there was no unusual increase in ILI/Sari cases somewhere in the country has also been confirmed by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) Sentinel Surveillance Data, he said.

Jadhav, who listed the measures taken for the control of HMPV, said that the Public Health Center (PHEOC) has been activated at the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) since January 6, 2025 for regular monitoring of the HMPV situation.

The Daily Situational Report (Sitrep) is shared with the stakeholders concerned. States and the Union’s territories have been urged to be vigilant and send respiratory samples of hospital falls to the designated virus research and diagnostic laboratories (VDL) for testing and sequencing of positive samples, he said.

A robust monitoring system for ILI and Sari is already found in India through both ICMR and IDSP networks, Jadhav said.

States have been encouraged to improve information, education and communication (IEC) and awareness among the population regarding the prevention of the virus transmission through simple measures such as washing hands with soap and water.

Avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with people who exhibit symptoms of the disease and cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, etc., according to the counseling to the states.

The government implemented a preparedness drill across the country and it is found that the health system is sufficiently prepared to deal with the seasonal increase in respiratory disease, Jadhav said.

Several meetings were held on the secretary (health and family health), Director General of Health Care, a joint surveillance group with various stakeholders and examined the situation for respiratory diseases in India and the status of HMPV -Fall, he said.

The stakeholders include the Department of Health Research, DGHS, health secretary and officials in states, experts from the integrated disease surveillance platform (IDSP), NCDC, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Virology (NIV) and Statilous Union Union

States have been urged to strengthen and review ILI/Sari surveillance, he said.

HMPV is one of the many respiratory viruses that can cause infections in people of all ages, especially during the winter and early spring months. Symptoms may include cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath.

The viral infection is usually a mild and self -limiting condition and most cases recover on their own, the minister said.