Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin revealed that the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus that recently broke out in China has reportedly been found in Indonesia. All cases found involved children.
“Does this HMPV exist in Indonesia? This HMPV has been in Indonesia for a long time. If you check, does it exist now? Yes. Maybe my friends who are in front of me (have it) if you check,” Budi said as reported by Antara.
He reassured the public against panic, stating that it is a familiar virus to the medical field.
“Unlike COVID-19, which only emerged a few years ago, HMPV is an old virus that has existed since 2001 and has been circulating throughout the world since 2001. So far, nothing has happened either,” said the Minister of Health.
Budi said that it is an old virus that was discovered in 2001 and has been circulating around the world since then, and so far there has been no major incident due to it. In addition, he also dismissed the news about the increase in HMPV cases in China.
He added that the virus that broke out in China is not HMPV, but H1N1 or the ordinary influenza virus. In terms of prevalence, he said, in China, HMPV ranks third.
Bali tightens inspection at airport
To prevent the spread of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), the Denpasar Class I Port Health Office (KKP) has tightened surveillance of flights from China and Malaysia at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali.
“Airlines from China and Malaysia need special attention even though we have not implemented certain health protocols,” said Head of KKP Class I Denpasar Anak Agung Ngurah Kesumajaya, as reported by BeritaSatu.
Flights from China and Malaysia received attention because HMPV has spread in the two countries. Meanwhile, there are about 1,100 people from China and 2,500 people from Malaysia entering Bali every day.
Previous reports showed an explosion of HMPV cases in China in recent months
China’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted an upward trend in HMPV cases from December 16 to December 22 on Thursday (26).
According to data from the authorities, these cases increased among children under the age of 14. China’s northern provinces are the location of the spread of the infection, whose symptoms are like Covid-19, as reported by Reuters.
The CDC describes the symptoms of the virus, including coughing, fever, nasal congestion, and wheezing or shortness of breath.
What is HMPV Infection?
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that usually causes symptoms of illness such as the common cold. Based on research, this virus often causes upper respiratory tract infections, but sometimes it can also cause lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, recurrence of asthma or aggravate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Research from the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies HMPV as an RNA virus in the genus Metapneumovirus.
This virus was first detected in the Netherlands in 2001. However, according to serologic antibody studies, the virus was circulating at least 50 years ago.
How HMPV is transmitted
Transmission of the HMPV virus is similar to other flu viruses, which are through saliva droplets from infected individuals. Although generally harmless, vulnerable groups, such as children, older adults, and individuals with certain health conditions, still need to be vigilant.
The Minister of Health urges the public to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as getting enough rest, washing hands regularly, wearing a mask when feeling unwell, and immediately consulting medical personnel if suspicious symptoms appear.
The characteristics of people infected with the infection are as follows:
- Cough
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Rash
