ShareKUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday that human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection rates are stable and within the seasonal norms typically observed at this time of year.
This update comes as global health authorities report an uptick in HMPV cases. In China, an increase in infections among children aged 14 and under has been noted, raising concerns about the potential spread of the virus. Social media images showing overcrowded hospitals in China have fueled fears of a COVID-like outbreak in the region.
In India, media reports have said that seven people have tested positive for HMPV as of Tuesday. Cases of HMPV have also been steadily increasing in the US since November 2024 with 1.94 percent of weekly tests positive for HMPV as of Dec 28, 2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Despite global developments, Dr Al-Muthanna Al-Hasawi, Kuwait’s Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs, reassured the public that no significant rise in HMPV cases has been observed in the country. “We continue to closely monitor global health developments and remain in communication with international health organizations,” he said.
Dr Al-Hasawi also pointed out that while HMPV is rising in some countries, it is not a new respiratory virus. The virus typically causes mild symptoms like fever, cough, congestion, and fatigue. However, it can lead to more severe symptoms in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
In Kuwait, the most common respiratory viruses this season continue to be Influenza A and B, which affect adults, and RSV, which primarily impacts children under five, said Dr Al-Hasawi. He added that the Ministry of Health monitors virus activity through the Emflu platform, which operates in 12 healthcare facilities across Kuwait, tracking respiratory infections daily. Healthcare workers have also been provided with up-to-date guidelines to manage the situation effectively.
Currently, no vaccine is available for HMPV, said Dr Al-Hasawi. Prevention relies on standard measures such as regular handwashing, avoiding contact with symptomatic individuals, and ensuring flu vaccinations are completed to reduce the risk of co-infection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also confirmed that respiratory virus activity, including HMPV, remains within expected seasonal levels globally. Although HMPV cases have been reported in countries like the United States and China, WHO spokesperson Margret Harris emphasized that there is no emergency response required at this stage. She also noted that hospitalizations remain below last year’s levels despite the increase in respiratory infections, including seasonal flu.
HMPV, first identified in 2001, circulates primarily during the winter and spring months. While it can cause severe illness in vulnerable groups, it generally leads to mild symptoms, resembling those of the common cold. WHO has called for strengthened global surveillance, better data sharing between countries, and continued public health measures such as vaccination and proper hygiene to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. — Agencies
