There is no need to impose lockdowns or border closures amid recent reports of human metapneumovirus ( HMPV ) outbreak in China , the Department of Health on Wednesday said. This as the World Health Organization said the HMPV is not a new virus and that the upward trend during the winter “is within the range expected for this time of year.
”“These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza and other common respiratory viruses, including hMPV, as well as mycoplasma pneumoniae…The co-circulation of multiple respiratory pathogens during the winter season can sometimes cause an increased burden on health care systems treating sick persons,” the WHO said in its situationer. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said HMPV typically results in mild symptoms similar to those of common colds. “HMPV is not a new virus. We have been able to identify it for quite some time. Its symptoms are generally mild. Similar to the common cold, HMPV typically resolves on its own, provided that the immune system is robust,” Herbosa said. He underscored the importance of practicing respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs with elbows and frequent hand washing, to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses during the colder months. DOH spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo noted that while HMPV cases – first identified in 2001 – have surged, they remained lower than those recorded in 2023. “The human metapneumovirus is not comparable to COVID-19, as it is not a novel virus. We are familiar with HMPV; therefore, there is no need to close our borders, as it does not spread aggressively even when present in our region,” Domingo said. As of January 8, 2025, the Health department reported a total of 179,227 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) for December 2024, reflecting a 17 percent decrease from the same period in 2023
HMPV Health Virus China WHO Department Of Health Lockdowns Border Closures
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