By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 4: The Health Ministry says the ‘human metapneumovirus’ (hMPV) is not a new disease despite the recent surge in infections in China.
In a statement today, the ministry pointed out that there have been 327 positive cases of hMPV infections detected in 2024, an increase from 225 cases recorded in 2023.
“The hMPV is not a new disease. In Malaysia, hMPV infections are not required to be reported or notified under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988,” the ministry stated.
The ministry however, urged the public to remain vigilant as respiratory tract infections will continue to persist in the community. This is especially for those who are planning to make a trip to any countries which are high at risk of these infections.
It also advised the public to continue practicing hand washing, covering their mouth when coughing, and wearing a face mask for those at high risk or in crowded areas.
The ministry encouraged individuals to seek immediate medical attention at nearby government or private healthcare facilities if they experience prolonged or worsening symptoms.
The ministry said it will also continuously monitor the development of respiratory tract infections both domestically and internationally, increase preparedness, and take appropriate measures.
Meanwhile, it noted that the increase in acute respiratory infections at the end of the year and the beginning of the year is an expected phenomenon, with similar trends reported in other countries, especially those experiencing colder seasons, such as China.
As a precautionary step to prevent and control the spread of infections, the Health Ministry said it is continuously monitoring infections from time to time, both domestically and internationally and this includes the virus that causes Covid-19, influenza and other respiratory infections.
On update on the Covid-19 infections, the ministry said the situation remains under control, with no spikes in cases requiring intensive care and no deaths related to the illness reported since April 25, 2024.
It said the SARS-CoV-2 variant currently circulating in the country is still the Omicron variant and its subvariants and no new cases of the Omicron variant have been reported from Nov 24 until the end of the year. — DayakDaily
